Johann Hendrik van Mastenbroek (1875-1945)
Flood Disaster: Saving Livestock in Balgoij
Signed, annotated, and dated lower right: 'Het redden van vee te Balgoij, Watersnood 1926'Charcoal on paper
50.5 x 65.5 cm
Framed: 54.5 x 69.5 cmProvenance:
Private collection, The HagueCondition:
In good conditionExtra information:
This striking drawing depicts a dramatic scene of a flooded meadow in Balgoij. In the foreground, a large boat full of people and cattle makes its way through the water. This charcoal drawing powerfully portrays the rescue operation during the flood disaster of 1926.
In the background, trees and farmhouses are half submerged, silently bearing witness to the destructive force of the flood. The dike breach at Nederasselt on December 31, 1925, unleashed massive water volumes that flowed through the lowlands around Wijchen and the Maas en Waal region.
Newspapers from the time meticulously describe how the livestock were housed in the church of Balgoij. The church was converted into an improvised stable, with church furniture stacked in the center and the animals arranged around it. The situation worsened on January 5, 1926, when the water from the Maas rose further. Foot-and-mouth disease made the conditions even more critical.
This drawing serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the resilience of the community in times of crisis.
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€1,500.00Price
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