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In Danger

Hendrik Willem Mesdag

European Art

On View:
Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his counterparts in the Hague School—so named for the Dutch city where they lived and worked—painted in the open air, capturing the distinctive landscapes and seascapes of the Netherlands. For the Dutch, who relied heavily on fishing and overseas trade, marine scenes proved extremely appealing subjects. Mesdag shows a small ship with wind-torn sails, tossed by massive, white-capped waves. The broad expanse of churning water, almost matching the tone of the sky, dramatizes the overwhelming power of the sea.
MEDIUM Oil on canvas
  • Place Made: Europe
  • DATES ca. 1895
    DIMENSIONS 35 13/16 × 49 7/16 in. (91 × 125.6 cm) frame: 51 × 64 3/4 × 4 in. (129.5 × 164.5 × 10.2 cm)  (show scale)
    SIGNATURE Signed lower right: "H W. Mesdag"
    COLLECTIONS European Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 26.604
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Mrs. James Quinlan in memory of her husband
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Hendrik Willem Mesdag (Dutch, 1831–1915). In Danger, ca. 1895. Oil on canvas, 35 13/16 × 49 7/16 in. (91 × 125.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. James Quinlan in memory of her husband, 26.604 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 26.604_SL3.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 26.604_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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