A view of Dordrecht - Everhardus Koster (1817 - 1892)

Oil on canvas
Signed lower right: “E. Koster ft.” and bears the inscription Dort by Koster 1855.
Provenance:
with WH Patterson Fine Art Ltd., London.

Dimensions: 91 x 140 cm, 110 x 158 cm (framed)
THE ARTWORK

This painting depicts a tranquil river scene near Dordrecht, with merchant ships and local boats sailing under a bright sky. Koster masterfully captures the play of light on the water, using subtle color gradients to render the sky and clouds with impressive depth and volume. The calm river reflects the boats and sails, imbuing the scene with a serene quality. The work's inscription and the detailed rendering of ships and architecture suggest Koster’s close familiarity with maritime life in the Netherlands, combining technical precision with a poetic appreciation of the Dutch landscape.


THE ARTIST

Everhardus Koster (1817–1892) was a Dutch painter known for his seascapes and river views, reflecting a lifelong fascination with maritime scenes. Born in The Hague, he demonstrated an early talent for drawing, which was initially directed toward a career in marine engineering. However, his artistic abilities were encouraged by Bartholomeus Johannes van Hove, then director of the Royal Academy of Art, prompting Koster to shift focus to painting.
Koster served as Director of various museum collections in Villa Welgelegen, although he was vocal about the institution’s shortcomings in artwork preservation. Despite the loss of his right eye in an accident in 1859, he continued to paint, creating works that highlighted his strong connection to Dutch maritime traditions. His compositions are marked by a detailed yet harmonious representation of light, water, and vessels, situating him within the Dutch Romantic landscape tradition.