Antonie Lodewijk (Anton) Koster (1857–1939)
The Pavilion of "Bosch en Hoven"
Pastel on paper
26.5 x 21 cm
Framed
Signed lower right A.L. Koster and inscribed: "De Koepel van 'Bosch en Hoven' aan den Herenweg. Ornament onder de vensters."

Provenance:
Private collection of A.M. van den Broek

Condition:
In very good condition

See the Tableau blog page for a detailed article.

Additional Information:
Antonie Lodewijk Koster (1857–1939), a versatile Dutch artist, appears to have been charmed as well by the elegance of the garden pavilion. Trained in The Hague and influenced by French Impressionism during his travels, Koster is best known for his colourful depictions of flower bulb fields, a focus that earned him the nickname “Anton Tulp.” In 1902, he moved to Haarlem and settled permanently in Heemstede in 1905, where this pastel was likely created.

The drawing depicts the stately national monument Bosch en Hoven. The bare trees suggest an autumn or early winter setting. With painterly, expressive strokes, Koster brings the landscape to life in pastel. The pale blue of the sky contrasts with the warmer earthy tones of the pavilion and the muted greens of the background. The rhythmic lines of the trees guide the viewer’s gaze into the composition, while a delicately rendered architectural ornament in the lower right corner adds a decorative accent.