* Koekkoek Unlading Fishing Smacks {1889} Loc? [PA]

Koekkoek, Hermannus, the Younger (1836-1909; Dutch)
Unlading Fishing Smacks, Coast of Normanby
Oil on canvas, c. 48 x 78 cm
Presented by Canon Bromby, 1889; returned to E.H.Bromby, 1926
Unidentified, present location unknown

This work was bequeathed to the NGV in 1889 by Canon J.E.Bromby (1809-89), the first headmaster of Melbourne Grammar School (1857-74): see linked entry. He also bequeathed two religious images to the Melbourne collection: Unknown (17C Italian?) after Reni Repentance of St Peter {1889} NGV [PA] and * Raphael [attrib.] Head of St John {1889} Loc? [PA].

The circumstances leading to the subsequent return of the present work to a descendant of Canon Bromby are unclear.

For Koekkoek, with references to other known works, and a reproduction of an example, see linked entry.

Refs.

AR 1889, p.43; SB, p.314 (with an added note regarding the return of the work to E.H.Bromby, August 1926); NGV 1894, p.81 (IV.McArthur Gallery, no.31; size given as 19 x 31 inches); AR 1900, p.31 (as lent to the Geelong gallery); not listed in NGV 1905