Have You Ever Heard of the Painter Ten Cate? Then the question quickly arises: which Ten Cate? Earlier this year, that same question undoubtedly echoed through a small Parisian auction house, where a stunning painting, Starry Night by the Sea, was offered for sale. Signed with the name “Ten Cate,” it was listed as the work of Hendrik Jan ten Cate (1867–1955). A mistake, as soon became clear.
The authoritative Scheen Lexicon lists no fewer than eight artists with this surname (and yes, there are also painters named Ten Kate). Figures like Anne Marie Blaupot ten Cate (1902–2002), Constantina ten Cate (1806–1876), and Hendrik Gerrit ten Cate (1803–1856) make their appearance. But in my humble opinion, the most talented is undoubtedly the Dutch Impressionist Siebe Johannes ten Cate (1858–1908). His dreamy landscapes and vibrant cityscapes, often executed in pastel, carry an unmistakable signature. It didn’t take me long to recognize his hand in Starry Night by the Sea. A rare find! The painting was auctioned off for a modest sum, and the train to Paris was quickly booked.
A wandering Frisian in Europe
Siebe’s life was marked by tragedy early on. Both parents died while he was still young. Thanks to the family fortune he inherited, he was able to move to Paris at the age of 22, after completing his studies at the Rijksakademie in The Hague and in Antwerp. Once settled in the City of Light, he befriended luminaries like Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley, shared a studio with Kees van Dongen, and even met Vincent van Gogh, who mentioned him in his letters.
Siebe was a prolific artist who exhibited regularly in both domestic and international venues, including the prestigious Paris Salon. While his permanent home was in Europe’s cultural capital, his curiosity lured him to travel extensively. His journeys took him to Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, England, Scandinavia, Germany, and even North Africa.
Starry Night by the Sea
The painting Starry Night by the Sea dates from 1901. In this work, Siebe captures the quiet grandeur of a night on the French coast. The interplay of light and darkness, where sea and sky meet, forms the heart of the painting. The dark, rocky shoreline in the foreground rises as a silent sentinel above the water. But it is the sky, studded with stars twinkling through the twilight, that truly brings the scene to life.
Gold varnish
This painting by Siebe ten Cate has an extraordinary and intriguing feature: the original varnish layer contains gold particles, discovered during restoration. This subtle addition of gold powder lends the work a distinctive, warm glow and was intended by Ten Cate as a visual effect. It’s a bold and surprising choice for a painting from 1901. The use of gold powder in varnish is exceptionally rare and possibly even unique in his oeuvre.
Siebe deliberately applied a “sparse” painting technique to the sea and around the stars. Like Jan Mankes, he thinned the paint with a cloth, his fingers, or an abrasive tool, removing excess paint to reveal bare canvas in places. This creates small, exposed areas in the sky, giving the illusion that the stars are truly glowing. The effect introduces openness and depth into the composition.
Siebe also employed a striking technique: lightly sanding the area around the stars so that the canvas subtly peeks through. This creates an almost ethereal effect, as though the stars themselves emit light. The overall atmosphere is mysterious, almost Symbolist in tone. On the horizon, a small red light appears—is it a ship or a lighthouse? This red accent inevitably draws the viewer’s gaze to the infinite horizon, adding a subtle tension to the work
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Siebe’s oeuvre balances between two worlds: serene nature and the bustling energy of the city. The landscapes and architecture of the places he visited play a prominent role in his work. From Lake Lucerne in Switzerland and the forests near Zwolle to the lively markets of Seville, Parisian nightlife, or the bustling activity on the Thames in London. All his works are characterized by a subtle mistiness, a dreamy veil that pervades his entire oeuvre as a signature element. In addition to paintings and pastels, he also produced several etchings and lithographs.
Oeuvre catalogue & RKD Study
Though Siebe ten Cate is (still) relatively unknown to the general public, this does not diminish the quality of his work. His paintings are part of prestigious museum collections, including the Rijksmuseum, the Louvre, and the Musée d’Orsay. Since 2020, the Siebe ten Cate Foundation has been dedicated to restoring the artist’s reputation. This year, an extensive RKD Study and catalogue raisonné will be published, featuring essays on his life, artistic network, and travels.
A first step toward bringing his name back into the spotlight was made in 2012 with a retrospective at the Fries Scheepvaartmuseum. But this is just the beginning. The foundation plans two exhibitions in the coming years, one in France and one in the Netherlands. Bob Scholte Fine Art currently holds a selection of ten works by Siebe ten Cate in its collection, including some of his signature cityscapes and serene landscapes. Each piece testifies to his masterful technique and attention to detail, offering a unique glimpse into the life and travels of this restless Impressionist.