Anton Mauve (1838-1888) is regarded as one of the foremost artists and represants of the Haagse School (Hague School). After apprenticeships to the animal painters Pieter Frederik van Os (1808-1892) and Wouterus Verschuur (1812-1874) he develeoped as a Romantic painter, after which Anton specialised in plein-air drawings and paintings depicting beach scenes, animals and above all forest views, meadows and moorlands with cattle drenched in his highly praised Silver Light. Mauve was influenced by Johannes Warnardus Bilders (1811-1890) and the brothers Matthijs Maris (1839-1917) and Jacob Maris (1837-1899). Mauve was the only teachter of his nephew Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890).
The present very fine and large study of a cow head is a rare example of a solitary mature study by the artist, stamped with the studio stamp created by his nephew and fellow artist Adolf Le Comte (1850-1921). Le Comte assisted the family with the heritage and Mauve's workshop estate after Mauve died and developed three studio stamps to document the drawings and prints left in the artist's workshop.[2]
[1] Renske Cohen Tervaert et al., Anton Mauve (1838-1888).
THOTH, Bussum/Teylers, Haarlem/Singer Laren, 2009.
[2] Frits Lugt, Les Marques de Collections de dessins & d'estampes.
Vereenigde Drukkerijen, Amsterdam, 1921.
(L.143) and (L.1803).
