Augustus Wynantz
Dusseldorf 1795 – The Hague after 1848

The Binnenhof in The Hague with a View of the Ridderzaal with Soldiers and other Figures in the Courtyard
signed A. Wÿnantz and dated 1830 in the lower left, and inscribed with the date 1827 on the face of the clock on the tower

oil on panel

20 x 30 ½ inches (50.8 x 80 cm.)

PROVENANCE: A. Staal Antiquaire, Amsterdam, 1932/1933; from whom bought by Alfred Cohen, Amsterdam; and thus by descent in the family until the present time

The view that Augustus Wynantz painted is that of the Binnenhof (inner court) in The Hague. The structure in the center is the Ridderzaal (Knight’s Hall), a rare example of profane gothic architecture in Europe. Built in the thirteenth century by Count Floris it measures 126 feet deep, 59 feet across and 85 feet high with a soaring oak roof. The building to the left is the Stadhouderskwartier, the quarters originally designated for the head of state. In the background is the Grenadierspoort, or Grenadier’s Gate, built in 1634 (although not visible the Mauritshuis is situated diagonally opposite this gate). As early as the fifteenth century the local government functioned from these buildings. In 1585 it became the seat of the States General of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands and would be the spot in which some of the most important events in Dutch history occurred. Today it is the heart of the Dutch government and contains the Houses of Parliament as well as other important government offices, such as the Ministry of Public Affairs, in the Ridderzaal and surrounding buildings. The Binnenhof is practically unaltered from the scene Wynantz painted in 1830.

The Ridderzaal came to be the most commonly used emblematic image for The Hague. There is a print in the collection of the Municipal Archives in The Hague (inventory number z.gr.26) which closely relates to this painting. Labeled Anonymous with a date of 1825, it is the opinion of Charles Dumas that in actuality the print is based on an as yet undiscovered drawing by Wynantz from 1827, that was later repeated with minor variations in the composition of our painting. This would explain the earlier date of 1827 on the clocktower that appears in our painting, having been taken directly from the prototype of the now lost drawing. The print in the Municipal Archives was in all likelihood erroneously dated when originally catalogued. This print was extremely popular and copied for the next fifty years in other prints and woodcuts.

Augustus Wynantz (or Wijnands, Wijnantz, Wijnantsz and Wynantsz) was known as a painter and draughtsman of cityscapes, interiors and military subjects. After serving in the cavalry as a musician Wynantz became a painter. He worked for King William II of Holland and painted in The Hague from circa 1829 until 1848. Favorite views of the artist, besides The Hague, included those of Amsterdam, Gand, Scheveningen and Utrecht. The artist’s works can be found in the museums of Amsterdam including the Rijksprentenkabinet, Mainz and The Hague. The Gemeentemuseum, The Hague has three works by the artist including one of The Grenadier’s Gate in the Binnenhof dated 1829.

We are indebted to Charles Dumas for his invaluable assistance in the writing of this entry.

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