Martin Monnickendam
(Amsterdam 1874 – 1943)
“At Prot”
Signed and dated 1902 ul
Watercolor on paper, 56.4 x 56 cm
NB I:
A similar oil painting is registered with the RKD under ill. no. 0000253303.
NB II:
Around the turn of the century, theater life in Amsterdam blossomed as never before and the theater became an important source of inspiration for contemporary artists. Between 1899 and 1924 Monnickendam was a regular visitor of the various theaters in Amsterdam. He regularly visited the Frascati theatre, known colloquially as 'bij Prot'. This theater was named after the well-known director Gustave Prot. Monnickendam however, in contrast to for example Kees Maks, was not interested in the circus- and cabaret artists, but, on the contrary, in the public wearing its finery. After all one visited the theater to see and be seen. The visitors of the Flora Theatre, Schouwburg Frascati and the Paleis van Volksvlijt were colorfully depicted by him. The various theater lodges depicted by Monnickendam are characterized by a great precision and detail in which he rendered the spectators as casual group portraits.