The Flower Market in Amsterdam
Painting on canvas • Hans Herrmann (German, 1858–1942)
Style & Movement
German Impressionism / Hague School influence
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing an impressionistic technique with visible brushwork, impasto in the floral highlights, and atmospheric glazing in the background and water
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (circa 1890-1910)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 120 x 100 cm (47 x 39 inches); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A bustling Amsterdam scene depicting a flower market along a canal. In the foreground, Dutch women in traditional dress tend to vibrant flower pots. The background features the iconic Munttoren (Mint Tower) emerging through a characteristic Dutch haze, with flat-bottomed canal boats (tjalks) moored along the quay.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; the painting appears stable with a healthy paint film, housed in a high-quality gilded period-style frame
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $20,000 USD
Provenance History
Part of the Nemours Estate collection, Delaware. Originally acquired by Alfred I. duPont or Jessie Ball duPont for their mansion, reflecting the early 20th-century American affinity for European genre paintings.
Art Historical Significance
Herrmann was a leading German Impressionist known for his Dutch cityscapes. This work is significant for its masterly handling of light and water, capturing the 'Atmospheric Realism' that made him a prominent figure in the Berlin Secession.
Notable Features
Clearly signed 'Hans Herrmann' in the lower right corner; includes a brass artist plaque on the frame. The composition is notable for its 'low' perspective, which immerses the viewer in the market atmosphere.
Condition Issues
Minor surface grime consistent with age; possible slight yellowing of the varnish layer; very fine craquelure visible in the heavier impasto areas of the flowers.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a fresh coat of archival-grade varnish to improve depth of color. Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting.
Collector Notes
Painting in Nemours Estate in Delaware