Johan Hendrik van Mastenbroek (1875-1945)

The present lot depicts the construction of the Regentessebridge at the Wijnhaven in Rotterdam, which was completed in 1899. The architect D.B. Logemann (1872-1964) was inspired by 19th century Parisian bridges and made a construction of cast iron and decorated brass lanterns to compliment the grandeur of the Wijnhaven. The bridge was named after Queen Emma, who attended the opening of the bridge with her daughter Wilhelmina. During the time of construction Van Mastenbroek was in the middle of his artistic training in Rotterdam, and areas such as this, where sea and city collide, were of great interest to him. A watercolour of the same viewpoint (1892) from his hand is now in the collection of the Gemeentearchief Rotterdam (fig. 1). It has been suggested the highest building visible in the background is the roof of the 'Onze Lieve Vrouwenkerk'.