Moonlight on the Canal
Painting on wood panel • Johan Barthold Jongkind (Dutch, 1819–1891)
Style & Movement
Pre-Impressionism / Barbizon School Influence / Dutch Atmospheric Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil on wood panel; employs loose brushwork, tonal atmospheric perspective, and luminous glazing to capture light reflections on water.
Creation Period
1856
Dimensions & Format
Small-scale cabinet painting, landscape format; approximately 10 x 15 inches (estimation based on context).
Subject Description
A nocturnal landscape featuring a canal under a full moon. A prominent windmill is silhouetted against the night sky, with silhouettes of trees and figures on the bank. The moon reflects on the water's surface, creating a focal point of high contrast.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved within a museum environment with stable paint layers and vibrant colors.
Estimated Market Value
$50,000 - $80,000 USD (based on artist's market for small-scale 19th-century works)
Auction Estimate
$40,000 - $60,000 USD
Provenance History
Once belonged to the George A. Lucas collection; gifted by the artist to the prominent French photographer Félix Nadar, as indicated by an inscription.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant as Jongkind is considered a precursor to Impressionism; Claude Monet described him as the man responsible for 'completing the education of my eye.' The provenance to Nadar adds immense historical weight.
Notable Features
Features an inscription in the lower right identifying it as a gift to Félix Nadar; housed in an ornate 19th-century gilded Barbizon-style frame.
Condition Issues
None visible from current photograph; minor surface dust and slight aging of the gilded frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Use low-UV museum lighting. Periodic dusting of the gilded frame by a professional.