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Catfish and Goldfish in an Aquarium

(Dutch, 1866–1924)
Medium/TechniqueTransparent and opaque watercolor over graphite
DimensionsSheet: 50.4 × 65.7 cm (19 13/16 × 25 7/8 in.)
Credit LineThe Maida and George Abrams Collection—Gift in honor of Clifford S. Ackley, William W. Robinson, and in memory of Justice Ruth I. Abrams
Accession number2021.294
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsDrawings / Watercolors
Description

Dijsselhof trained at the Art Academy in Hague before moving to Amsterdam, which proved to be the watershed moment of his career for his exposure there to the Amsterdam zoo and its new aquarium. He supposedly visited every afternoon, an experience that profoundly shaped his art. Dozens of sketches and paintings of underwater creatures record his abiding interest in sea life.

InscriptionsInscribed, inside mat, lower right in graphite: G. W. Dysselhof./ Meervallen & goudwinden./ ag. 50 x 64. ges. 2.0/ 3498/ doos 76
ProvenanceJ. A. van Dongen (b. 1888 - d. 1972), Amsterdam. 1990, sold by Charles Roelofsz. (dealer), Amsterdam to George S. and Maida Abrams, Newton, MA; 2021, gift of George S. Abrams to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 14, 2021)
Lizards, Frogs, and Turtles
Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof
1890–1910
Berries (Besjes)
Theodor Willem Nieuwenhuis
1930
Plant Form Page Decorations
Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof
1897
Richard Ovey
probably 1795–1800
Unknown English, late 18th-early 19th century
1780–1820
Goldfish
Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof
Panel from a screen
Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof
1900–10
Lobster Under Water
Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof
A Street in The Hague
Willem Bastiaan Tholen
1892