Posted 7 years ago
Eli68
(16 items)
About one year ago, I was visiting one of the Thrift stores on Vancouver Island. Before I left home, I made a firm decision, not to buy any more paintings. We do not have any more wall space.
Well, while in the store, I spotted this filthy paintings. I mean the frame and glass were covered. You could hardly see what was inside the frame. However, something was telling me to buy it.
At home, I cleaned the frame and glass and I discovered that I bought an original watercolor done by dutch artist - Jan Den Hengst.
The size of the painting is 15"x 20" (frame 19"x 24"). The frame and packaging are original. I have no idea how this painting got from Holland to Vancouver Island Thrift store. Needless to say I love this painting and I will keep it clean.
Subsequently, I learned the following about the artist:
Johannes Gerardus (Jan) den Hengst, was born 19-05-1904 in Delft and died 26-01-1983 in Amsterdam.
He was a painter, draughtsman, watercolourist, and landscaper.
He was self-taught and lived and worked in Delft until 1930, then in Hilversum. He settled in 1954 in Amsterdam. He painted, drew, and made watercolours of landscapes, portraits, flowers and still life in an Impressionist style.
He was befriended and worked with Jan Korthals and Jan Rijlaarsdam with whom he undertook many trips to France, Spain and Italy, and with whom he also exhibited.
He was a member of the artist circles Arti et Amicitiae and St. Luke in Amsterdam and the artist’s fellowship in Amersfoort (A.K.G.).
Stories like yours Eli is one of the reasons why collectors love to shop antique and thrift stores. Although it's never happened to me, I've seen some of the treasures that can be found - with the ultimate reward being the thrill and excitement of finding an attributed piece which had gone unnoticed. Congrats!
Thank you Rick for your comment.
I wish I knew about collecting art glass as much as you do. For a while, I have been following your collection and it is fantastic.
My husband and I have been collecting paintings for 45 years. We have only one rule that we follow - we buy only originals.