Set of four Orientalist landscape paintings by van Wijk

Set of four Orientalist landscape paintings by van Wijk
Dutch, 1879
Canvas: Height 35cm, width 65cm
Largest frame: Height 41cm, width 71cm, depth 4cm
Smallest frame: Height 39.5cm, width 69.5cm, depth 4cm
 
This set of four Orientalist landscape scenes is by the Dutch artist Henri van Wijk (1833-c.1889). Van Wijk is known for his landscape paintings, and often worked in the Orientalist genre - these paintings in the Mayfair Gallery collection are a fine example of his work in this style.
 
Each scene is filled with a small, naturalistic group of figures and animals. The figures, who either shepherd their flocks or ride on horses, are dressed in typical Orientalist fashions, with brightly coloured robes and turbans. Their sheep, goats, horses, and cattle are particularly finely depicted, with van Wijk expertly rendering their woollen coats and long tails.
 
All of the vignettes are set on grassy plains surrounded by hills or mountains. In some, mosque spires can be seen in the background, reminding the viewer of the Orientalist setting. Of note are the expansive skies, which take up around half of the canvas in all four of the paintings. Three scenes are set against dazzling blue skies whilst the fourth is filled with bright white clouds, providing an interesting contrast. The artist’s decision to devote so much of the picture plane to these vivid skies effectively emphasises the natural landscape.
 
Surrounded by wooden frames, each painting is signed ‘van Wyk’ in the lower left. One of the paintings is dated ‘1879’.
 
With their evocative atmosphere and bright colours, this set of paintings exemplifies the superb Orientalist works emerging from Europe at the end of the 19th century.
 
Artist/Maker: Henri van Wijk