Gerardine Jacoba van de Sande Bakhuyzen

Dutch, 1826 – The Hague – 1895

Of the few professional female painters in the Netherlands in the first half of the 19th century, Gerardine van de Sande Bakhuyzen is one of the most well-known. It was already apparent at a young age that she had inherited her father’s artistic talent. Hendrik van de Sande Bakhuyzen enjoyed a great reputation as painter of cattle. In his studio he taught both his son Julius (1835-1925), who himself became a rather well known Hague School painter, and his daughter Gerardine. She specialized in painting still lifes, at that time the only genre considered fitting for a woman. Eventually, she more than surpassed her brother and even her father’s reputation.

Gerardine van de Sande Bakhuyzen appears to be pioneering on an artistic level; she is one of the first painters to break with the traditions of the classical still lifes. Although her early work is clearly inspired by them, with opulent and primarily arranged floral pieces, she later seeks a more unconstrained composition. It must be said however that these classic works already demonstrate great artistic talent. Along the way, the classic vase makes way for a marble plinth and Gerardine later positions her flowers on ordinary woodland. Her brush strokes become looser, more daring. Later in life, she even made some almost impressionist pieces, which are remarkable due to their wonderful transitions from light and colour.

The 19th century art critics paid little attention to female painters compared to their male counterparts. In certain cases, they were considered as little more than the wives of famous painters, much like Sientje Mesdag-van Houten and Marie Bilders-van Bosse. As a result of her quite ‘liberal’ upbringing, as Gerardine was given the same chances as her brother, her persistence and the fact that she never married, she became a truly professional painter.

In 1861 Gerardine van de Sande Bakhuyzen was entitled honorary membership of the royal Academy of Amsterdam. She was co-founder of the Hollandsche Teekenmaatschappij in 1876 and joined Arti et Amicitiae in 1879 (two of the most important artist societies in the Netherlands). Furthermore, she exhibited regularly at the Exhibitions of Living Masters and won serval prizes. At the height of her fame she demanded – and received – high prices for her paintings. She negotiated with her clients independently and without any male intervention, which was very unusual at that time. Nonetheless, she gradually commanded great respect from her male colleagues with the high quality and innovative character of her work. This also appears from the fact that the great masters of her time, Jozef Israëls and Hendrik Willem Mesdag spoke at her funeral.

Paintings and watercolours by Gerardine van de Sande Bakhuyzen in the collection of Kunsthandel Bies:

Gerardine van de Sande Bakhuyzen | Stilleven met roze en gele rozen | Kunsthandel Bies

Gerardine Jacoba van de Sande Bakhuyzen

Dutch, 1826 – The Hague – 1895

Paintings and watercolours by Gerardine van de Sande Bakhuyzen in the collection of Kunsthandel Bies:

A Still life with pink and yellow roses

A flower still life on a forest floor

A still life with camellias and azaleas

A still life with pink and white roses

A still life with autumn branches

A still life with flowers