Gerard ter Borch

The Messenger, known as 'The Unwelcome News'

Gerard ter Borch
The Messenger, known as 'The Unwelcome News'

Zu sehen in Saal 15

Ter Borch became famous for his intimate scenes of people engrossed in what they are doing, often unaware of our presence. He also had an exceptional talent for depicting different materials, like the gleaming satin of the girl’s dress.

Here, we see a soldier receiving a letter from a messenger. It’s easy to imagine that the letter is a call to the front, away from the girl who leans against him so lovingly.

Technische Daten

Gerard ter Borch
The Messenger, known as 'The Unwelcome News'

Zu sehen in Saal 15

Kommende Veranstaltungen

Details

Allgemeine Informationen
Künstler Gerard ter Borch (Zwolle 1617 - 1681 Deventer)
Titel The Messenger, known as 'The Unwelcome News'
Objektname painting
Inventarnummer 176
Zu sehen in Saal 15
Material und technische Daten
Technik oil
Material panel
Maße 66.9 x 59.3 cm
Inschriften
Signed and dated at left, on a stone: GTB / 1653
GTB in ligature

Ursprung

Possibly identical with a painting in the sale of Petronella de la Court, widow of Adam Oortmans, Amsterdam, 19 October 1707 (Lugt 207), no. 31 (‘Een Trompetter by een Krygsoverste, van Gerard ter Burg’; 92 guilders); Govert van Slingelandt, The Hague, in or before 1752-1767; his widow, Agatha Huydecoper, The Hague, 1767-1768; Van Slingelandt sale, The Hague, 18 May 1768 (Lugt 1683), no. 31; the entire collection van Slingelandt sold to Prince William V; Prince William V, The Hague, 1768-1795; confiscated by the French, transferred to the Muséum Central des Arts/Musée Napoléon (Musée du Louvre), Paris, 1795-1815; Royal Picture Gallery, housed in the Prince William V Gallery, The Hague, 1816; transferred to the Mauritshuis, 1822