| Dating |
1909 |
| Material / technique |
oil on canvas |
| Dimensions |
110,5 x 93,5 cm (canvas) |
| Literature |
|
| Exhibitions |
Maastricht 1909 (July 11-25), at the former Dominican Church: Tentoonstelling van oude en nieuwe Maastrichtsche kunst en kunstnijverheid |
| Provenance |
about 1980 Purchase by present owner from Art Dealer Sientje van Noort, Heemstede |
| Current residence |
Private property Amsterdam |
| Signature |
b.r. in paint: HRI GOOVAERTS [underlined] 1909 |
| Headings |
|
| Remarks |
A picture of this painting is in the archives of Lily Goovaerts. The photograph, mounted on cardboard, is made by the firm P. Stutz, royal photographer Maastricht. Underneath the picture is written on the cardboard: ‘To the honorable painter // Goovaerts in grateful memory // photograph made of the portrait painted by you’
On the back side of the cardboard is written: ‘Mrs Marie Muller z E. 1829-1911 // Portrait painted in 1910 [sic].’
In 2016 the painting was examined technically by Restoration Studio Astrid van den Berg in Amsterdam. The investigation revealed that the paint layer is too sensitive for solvents to remove the varnish without loss. This sensitivity is very likely caused by the fact that Henri Goovaerts experimented with the composition of the paint. This experiment was more common in the early 20th century. Painters of that period added various substances to their oil colours, for example to bring about more gloss or depth in the paint. A commonly used addition was resin. Since the varnish layer applied after the painting also contains resin, cleaning of the varnish layer would simultaneously solve the paint layer. After this outcome the painting was not cleaned. The painting is though in fairly good condition. |
