A Harbour Scene with Oriental Figures
Hendrik van Minderhout (Rotterdam 1632 – Antwerp 1696)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1670 - circa 1673
Materials
oil on canvas
Measurements
1676 x 2388 mm (66 x 94 in)
Order this imageCollection
Dyrham, Gloucestershire (Accredited Museum)
NT 453756
Caption
Hendrick van Minderhout is known for his seascapes and views of harbours, some of which, like this one, are Oriental or Italianate in tone. In this painting, groups of figures with horses, mules and camels go about their business on the shore. Dominating the centre of the composition is a large ship, moored in the bay, not far from a fort perched on a rocky outcrop to the right. William I Blathwayt (?1649–1717) purchased this painting and its pendant, Minderhout’s view of Antwerp from across the Scheldt, through the Flemish painter Jan Siberechts (1627–1703) in 1693. They are listed in a document recording the pictures purchased from Siberechts as '2 peices of Minderhout'.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, A Harbour Scene with Oriental Figures, by Hendrik van Minderhout (Rotterdam 1632 – Antwerp 1696), signed H. van Minderhout, circa 1670-73, after an original of the same date. Two groups of figures, horses, mules, and camels on the shore, with vessels being unloaded. A man of war is anchored off the shore, with other vessels in the distance. A fort perches on the hillside to the right.
Provenance
Purchased by William I Blathwayt (?1649-1717) through Jan Siberechts in 1693; thence by descent at Dyrham Park; Indigenous collection purchased by Ministry of Works in 1956 and given to Dyrham Park in 1961
Credit line
Dyrham Park, The Blathwayt Collection (acquired by the Ministry of Works via the National Land Fund in 1956, and transferred to the National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Lower left, on a bale to the left of a barrel: H van Minderhout
Makers and roles
Hendrik van Minderhout (Rotterdam 1632 – Antwerp 1696) , artist previously catalogued as attributed to Italian School, artist
References
A Catalogue Of the Valuable Collection of Pictures of William Blathwayte, Esq. Which will be sold by Auction at Derham, in the County of Gloucester, on Monday the 18th of November Inst. and the three following Days [...] Thomas Joye, Auctioneer [1765], third day of the sale, 20 November 1765, lot 30 Inventory and valuation of all the household furniture, linen, china, glass, books, pictures [...] the property of William Blathwayt Esqr. at his late residence Dyrham Park [...] March 1839. [March 1839]., in the Saloon [Great Hall] Dyrham Park 1844 List of Valuable Pictures, Prints, &c at Dyrham House, Gloucestershire the Property of Geo: Wm. Blathwayt Esq. with nominal prices affixed to some for the purposes of Insurance only. [1844], in the Saloon [Great Hall], no.10 Inventory [of] Household Furniture, China, Glass, Oil Paintings, Engravings, Books, Silver Plate [...] In the Mansion House at Dyrham Park Gloucestershire bequeathed as Heirlooms by the late Colonel George William Blathwayt who died May the 14th 1871, in the Saloon [Great Hall] Dyrham Park 1937 An Inventory and Valuation of the contents of Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire, the property of the late R. W. Blathwayt, Esq., made for the purpose of Probate duty by, Puttick & Simpson [...] January 1st 1937, in the White Drawing Room Duits 1964 Clifford Duits, 'Hendrick van Minderhout', Duits Quarterly, no.5, autumn 1964, pp.10-16, no.26, p.15 Treasures from the National Trust: An Exhibition of Items from National Trust Houses in Wales and the Borders (exh cat) Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea, 9 October - 6 November 6th, 1971