Martin Monnickendam
(Amsterdam 1874 – 1943)
“Bij Prot”
Signed and dated 1902 u.l.
Watercolour on paper, 56.4 x 56 cm
N.B. I:
A similar oil painting is registered with the RKD under ill. no. 0000253303.
N.B. II:
Around the turn of the century, theatre life in Amsterdam blossomed as never before and the theatre 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 theatre 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 theatre to see and be seen. The visitors of the Flora Theatre, Schouwburg Frascati and the Paleis van Volksvlijt were colourfully depicted by him. The various theatre lodges depicted by Monnickendam are characterised by a great precision and detail in which he rendered the spectators as casual group portraits.