Artwork
Overschie bij maneschijn
Overschie bij maneschijn is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Johan Jongkind. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Johan Barthold Jongkind painted Overschie bij maneschijn in 1871, using oil on canvas. The work depicts a tranquil harbor at night, illuminated by moonlight, and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
The scene presents a quiet riverside setting near Overschie, with a solitary boat drifting under a dim sky and a tall church tower silhouetted on the left. The faint lunar glow subtly defines the forms, emphasizing the stillness of the water and the calm of the evening.
Technique & Style
Jongkind applied rapid, visible brushstrokes that blend blues, grays, and muted tones, avoiding smooth transitions. This approach captures the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, aligning his method with early Impressionist tendencies while retaining a loose, atmospheric quality.
History & Provenance
Created during a period when Jongkind was establishing his reputation for marine subjects, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains part of the museum’s representation of 19th‑century Dutch landscape painting.
Context
Jongkind’s work bridges Dutch tonal landscape traditions and the emerging Impressionist movement. His emphasis on light, open air observation, and spontaneous brushwork influenced younger artists who later formalized Impressionism in France.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Johan Barthold Jongkind (Dutch pronunciation: ; 3 June 1819 – 9 February 1891) was a Dutch painter and printmaker. He painted marine landscapes in a free manner and is regarded as a forerunner of impressionism.
