This mid-19th-century watercolour by Dutch artist Johannes Engel Masurel (1826-1915) depicts a young lady reading in a kitchen interior littered with vegetables.
Transfixed by the contents of a novel, she’s oblivious to the cluttered environment. A smorgasbord of fresh goods sprawled on cold checkerboard tiles. Onions tumble from an upturned basket while carrots teeter atop a plate of potatoes. Even the lantern hangs askew.
Masurel was obsessed with the old Dutch masters and produced gentle scenes in homage to his forebears. With Gerrit Dou (1613-1675) a particular inspiration. As such, often amid the enchanting brushwork, there’s a richer narrative or moralistic tale.
So perhaps within this jumbled scene, the artist is offering some valuable advice. If you wish to maintain a harmonious relationship, both of you need to cook.
Signed/dated lower left and held within a later frame. Glazed.
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Overall size: 14½” x 12½” / 37cm x 32cm
Year of creation: 1855
Labels & Inscriptions: Artist's biography on reverse.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £4,113
Johannes Engel Masurel trained at the Royal Academy of Art in Amsterdam and also under Jacobus Schomaker Doyer (1792-1867). He’s represented at the Rijksmuseum, Musée d'Orsay, Amsterdam Museum, and the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag.
Learn more about Johannes Engel Masurel in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work.
