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Dutch (?), 'A White House among Trees', 19th century

About the work

This small oil painting on millboard has a false signature of the Dutch artist Matthijs Maris. Maris studied in The Hague and Antwerp and also worked in Paris from 1869 to 1877 – his Men Unloading Carts, Montmartre (National Gallery, London) was painted during his time there. He settled in London in 1877, where he died in 1917.

Although not by Maris, the picture may have been painted by a follower or imitator. As it has little resemblance to Maris’s work it is difficult to believe it is a deliberate fake.

The white building, which is probably a farmhouse, does not look Dutch. Instead, this may be a scene in the south of France or in a Mediterranean country. The picture does convey an impression of a white building shaded from the sun by overhanging trees, but it is quite crudely painted throughout with a limited range of colours.

Key facts

Full title
A White House among Trees
Artist
Dutch (?)
Date made
19th century
Medium and support
oil on board
Dimensions
38.1 × 49.5 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Bequeathed by A.N. Manicoll, 1916; transferred from the Tate Gallery, 1956
Inventory number
NG3140
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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