Former Amsterdam diamond cutter Sal Meijer (1877-1965) painted countless cityscapes like the one here. He would make sketches out in the street and used postcards and newspaper pictures as aide-memoires so that he could finish his work back in his small studio in Blaricum.
Until recently, the can
...al depicted here seemed to be an unknown place in Amsterdam, but after posting it on Facebook, it turned out to be the Delftsche Vaart in Rotterdam. The location is clearly recognisable in an old archive photograph.
Meijer tried to market his cityscapes in various ways. He made multiple versions of many of his works, allegedly keeping the best one because he could not bear to part with it.
In addition to townscapes (always without people), still lifes and portraits, he painted cats snoozing on railings, tables, rugs or in boxes. Meijer is often described as a naïve artist or Sunday painter: someone who pursues painting without any formal art training. However, if you look closely, you will discover his subtle rendering of materials and technique of using thin layers of paint.
Text: Evelien Verheij, collection coordinatorFormer Amsterdam diamond cutter Sal Meijer (1877-1965) painted countless cityscapes like the one here. He would make sketches out in the street and used postcards and newspaper pictures as aide-memoires so that he could finish his work back in his small studio in Blaricum.
Until recently, the canal depicted here seemed to be an unknown place in Amsterdam, but after posting it on Facebook, it turned out to be the Delftsche Vaart in Rotterdam. The location is clearly recognisable in an old archive photograph.
Meijer tried to market his cityscapes in various ways. He made multiple versions of many of his works, allegedly keeping the best one because he could not bear to part with it.
In addition to townscapes (always without people), still lifes and portraits, he painted cats snoozing on railings, tables, rugs or in boxes. Meijer is often described as a naïve artist or Sunday painter: someone who pursues painting without any formal art training. However, if you look closely, you will discover his subtle rendering of materials and technique of using thin layers of paint.
Text: Evelien Verheij, collection coordinator
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Artist
Sal Meijer
Title
Delftsche Vaart in Rotterdam
Year
Undated
Technique
Oil on canvas
Size
50 x 60 cm (h x w)
Type of object
Painting
Copyright
Uknown
Copyright unknown. We have tried to trace the copyright holders. If you believe you have the copyright, please contact us.