A quiet, atmospheric 19th-century nocturne that captures the poetry of the waterfront at night. Painted in oil on panel, this scene shows sailboats gliding across calm water beneath a pale moon, with a warm beacon light glowing at the left like a small lantern in the fog. The composition is all about contrast, the cool blue-grey sky and silvery reflections balanced by that amber halo, a classic visual language associated with Dutch and Northern European moonlight painting.
The UK dealer listed this work as “after Petrus van Schendel (1806–1870),” an attribution that fits the subject and mood. Van Schendel is best known for images where light is the main character, whether candlelit interiors or night scenes with luminous points of glow. Here, the artist leans into that tradition with soft, blended transitions and fine maritime detail in the boats and rigging. It is the kind of painting that settles a room, elegant, calm, and deeply decorative without being loud.
Presented in a vintage gilt frame that suits the period and elevates the glow of the scene. This is a strong choice for collectors drawn to coastal art, tonalist mood pieces, Dutch inspired painting, and interior designers looking for a small antique painting with real atmosphere.
Details:
- Medium: Oil on panel
- Style: 19th century European nocturne, after Petrus van Schendel
- Subject: Moonlit harbor with boats and beacon light
- Signature: Indistinctly signed at lower left (per dealer listing, not clearly legible in photos)
- Framed size: 10.5" W x 9.25" H
Condition:
The painting presents well overall and shows expected age wear consistent with a 19th-century oil on panel. The surface shows light scattered spotting and minor surface dusting, along with faint hairline craquelure typical for an older painted panel. Under close viewing there are small areas of superficial rubbing and tiny specks, most visible in the darker sky passages. No major structural issues are visible in the provided photos. The gilt frame shows age-related wear, small nicks, and light scuffing at the corners and edges, consistent with vintage framing.
