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Theophile de Bock began his professional life as a clerk for the Dutch Railway Company, but ultimately decided to devote himself to art. He trained in The Hague before traveling to Paris and Barbizon in 1880—the first of many encounters with mid-nineteenth century French art that would profoundly influence his approach to the representation of landscape. De Bock was instrumental in the founding of the Hague Art Circle, which was established to promote art of all kinds—the visual arts including craft and architecture, music and the musical arts, and writing. Especially after 1850, the Art Circle was a vibrant focus of activity for artists in various media, and exhibitions there included works by such notables as Jan Toorop and Van Gogh. De Bock’s visions of landscape were quite melancholy and gloomy, and rarely feature figures. The present work typifies his work in all respects.
Landscape with Row of Trees
Theophile Emile Achille de Bock (Dutch, 1851–1904)
19th-20th century
19th–20th century
Medium/Technique
Pastel, charcoal, and crayon
Dimensions
Sight: 28.8 x 43.8 cm (11 5/16 x 17 1/4 in.)
Mount: 35 x 50 cm (13 3/4 x 19 11/16 in.)
Mount: 35 x 50 cm (13 3/4 x 19 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Maida and George Abrams Collection—Gift in honor of Clifford S. Ackley, William W. Robinson, and in memory of Justice Ruth I. Abrams
Accession Number2021.316
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsDrawings
Theophile de Bock began his professional life as a clerk for the Dutch Railway Company, but ultimately decided to devote himself to art. He trained in The Hague before traveling to Paris and Barbizon in 1880—the first of many encounters with mid-nineteenth century French art that would profoundly influence his approach to the representation of landscape. De Bock was instrumental in the founding of the Hague Art Circle, which was established to promote art of all kinds—the visual arts including craft and architecture, music and the musical arts, and writing. Especially after 1850, the Art Circle was a vibrant focus of activity for artists in various media, and exhibitions there included works by such notables as Jan Toorop and Van Gogh. De Bock’s visions of landscape were quite melancholy and gloomy, and rarely feature figures. The present work typifies his work in all respects.
Signed
Signed lower right in black crayon: Th. de Bock
Provenance2013, sold by ArtConsult, Amsterdam to George S. Abrams, Newton, MA; 2021, gift of George S. Abrams to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 14, 2021)