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Karel Klinkenbergartist • painter • watercolourist • draughtsmanDen Haag 1852-1924

biography of Johannes Christiaan Karel Klinkenberg

Johannes Christiaan Karel Klinkenberg specialized in the historic cityscape, often sun-drenched, the facades reflecting in the water of a canal or inland harbour. Contemporaries admired the sunlight effect in his paintings: a strong, brilliant light that brightened the white sandstone and red brick of the Old Dutch facades.

Klinkenberg was born in The Hague, where he would live, work and ultimately die for most of his life. He trained at the Hague Drawing Academy where he was taught by the maritime painter Louis Meyer. After his death, he apprenticed with the history-genre painter Christoffel Bisschop. From Bisschop he learned to deal with light and reflection, which would play an important role in his work. Initially in his historical genre paintings, but soon in the sunny Dutch cityscape which would become his specialty. In contrast to the sometimes heavy and dark cityscapes of his contemporaries George Hendrik Breitner and Floris Arntzenius, Klinkenberg's scenes appear light and cheerful. Sunlight plays over the ocher and brown colored houses that are reflected in the water. Trees are usually a fresh green – only occasionally does he paint in winter – and the sky and water are blue. The characteristic gray of the Hague School is absent in his work. Figures never play the leading role, rather Klinkenberg was charmed by the boats he saw in the canals and inland harbors of the Dutch water towns. To achieve a balanced, perfect composition, he places historical buildings where he thinks they look best in his paintings, but they are always recognizable. The sunny character and topographical character of his paintings make his work popular with collectors at home and abroad. From the age of 23 he has been showered with awards and wherever he exhibits his work sells well.

The vast majority of his works concern Dutch cities, with an emphasis on Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam. In Amsterdam his favorite subjects were views of the St. Nicholas Church, the Montelbaanstoren, the Ronde Lutherse Kerk or the Munt. Klinkenberg was not a striking personality and could not easily reconcile with the new art movements of the turn of the century. However, he was a hard-working and very productive painter.


for salepaintings, watercolours and drawings by Karel Klinkenberg


Karel Klinkenberg | A view of a town with the Groenmolen and tower of the Nieuwe Kerk of Delft, oil on canvas, 39.5 x 47.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

A view of a town with the Groenmolen and tower of the Nieuwe Kerk of Delft

Karel Klinkenberg | A summerly view of the Voorhaven in Delfshaven, Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 39.8 x 53.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

A summerly view of the Voorhaven in Delfshaven, Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | Near the Leuvehaven, Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 39.3 x 47.2 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

Near the Leuvehaven, Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | The Heilige Geesthofje on the Paviljoensgracht, The Hague, oil on canvas, 60.6 x 100.7 cm, signed l.r. (twice)

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

The Heilige Geesthofje on the Paviljoensgracht, The Hague

Karel Klinkenberg | The Singel in Amsterdam at sunset, oil on panel, 15.2 x 24.6 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

The Singel in Amsterdam at sunset

Karel Klinkenberg | The Montelbaanstoren near the Kalkmarktsluis, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 39.3 x 47.3 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

The Montelbaanstoren near the Kalkmarktsluis, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of Leiden with the Oude Rijn and the Marekerk, oil on panel, 39.3 x 51.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

A view of Leiden with the Oude Rijn and the Marekerk

Karel Klinkenberg | A city view in summer (possibly Delft), oil on panel, 33.0 x 24.7 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

A city view in summer (possibly Delft)

Karel Klinkenberg | Stadtkanal (Rotterdam), watercolour on paper, 24.5 x 17.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • for sale

Stadtkanal (Rotterdam)

Karel Klinkenberg | The Spuistraat in The Hague on Queen's Day, watercolour and gouache on paper, 42.8 x 29.6 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • for sale

The Spuistraat in The Hague on Queen's Day

Karel Klinkenberg | The Oude Vrouwen- en Kinderhuis on the Spui in The Hague (The old women- and childrens home), watercolour on paper, 29.1 x 41.7 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • for sale

The Oude Vrouwen- en Kinderhuis on the Spui in The Hague (The old women- and childrens home)

Karel Klinkenberg | The Sint-Michaëlskerk with the Hoofdwacht in Zwolle, drawing on paper, 9.0 x 15.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • for sale

The Sint-Michaëlskerk with the Hoofdwacht in Zwolle

Karel Klinkenberg | The Munt, drawing on paper, 9.0 x 15.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • for sale

The Munt

Karel Klinkenberg | A Dutch canal in winter, oil on glass, 30.3 x 45.2 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • for sale

A Dutch canal in winter


previously for salepaintings, watercolours and drawings by Karel Klinkenberg


Karel Klinkenberg | City canal in the summer, oil on canvas, 46.9 x 39.2 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

City canal in the summer

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Oude Gracht in Utrecht, oil on panel, 22.1 x 27.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Oude Gracht in Utrecht

Karel Klinkenberg | The Singel in Amsterdam near the Brouwersgracht, oil on canvas, 39.4 x 53.7 cm, signed l.c.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The Singel in Amsterdam near the Brouwersgracht

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Oude Gracht in Utrecht, oil on panel, 22.1 x 27.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Oude Gracht in Utrecht

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of Voorhaven in Delfshaven in summer, Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 39.8 x 53.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of Voorhaven in Delfshaven in summer, Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Groenburgwal in Amsterdam and the Zuiderkerk, oil on canvas, 70.1 x 100.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Groenburgwal in Amsterdam and the Zuiderkerk

Karel Klinkenberg | View on the Blaak, Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 82.7 x 143.6 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View on the Blaak, Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | The Steigersgracht, Rotterdam, with the Grotemarkt in the distance, oil on canvas, 53.2 x 39.1 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The Steigersgracht, Rotterdam, with the Grotemarkt in the distance

Karel Klinkenberg | A view on Veere with the Campveerse toren, oil on canvas, 39.0 x 47.2 cm, signed l.l.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view on Veere with the Campveerse toren

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Kooltuin, alkmaar, with the Dijkbridge, oil on canvas, 21.5 x 35.3 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Kooltuin, alkmaar, with the Dijkbridge

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Singel, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 39.3 x 53.3 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Singel, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A Dutch canal, oil on panel, 17.9 x 25.1 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A Dutch canal

Karel Klinkenberg | The Delftsevaart with the Krattenbrug in Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 53.3 x 39.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The Delftsevaart with the Krattenbrug in Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | The flowermarket in Amsterdam with the Munttoren beyond, oil on canvas, 39.5 x 47.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The flowermarket in Amsterdam with the Munttoren beyond

Karel Klinkenberg | The Leuvehaven, Rotterdam, with the Nieuwe Leuvebrug, oil on canvas, 54.0 x 47.7 cm, signed l.l.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The Leuvehaven, Rotterdam, with the Nieuwe Leuvebrug

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Grote Markt in The Hague with two women in 'Zuid-Holland' costume, oil on canvas, 82.1 x 144.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Grote Markt in The Hague with two women in 'Zuid-Holland' costume

Karel Klinkenberg | The Dwarskaai with the house In de Steenrotse in Middelburg, oil on canvas, 60.3 x 79.8 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The Dwarskaai with the house In de Steenrotse in Middelburg

Karel Klinkenberg | A view on the Galgewater, Leiden, oil on canvas, 39.1 x 47.2 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view on the Galgewater, Leiden

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Steigersgracht, Rotterdam, oil on panel, 23.9 x 32.1 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Steigersgracht, Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Verdronkenoord with the Accijnstower, Alkmaar, oil on canvas, 38.9 x 47.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Verdronkenoord with the Accijnstower, Alkmaar

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Groenburgwal, with the Zuiderkerk beyond, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 40.0 x 48.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the Groenburgwal, with the Zuiderkerk beyond, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A canal scene with the Lutherse Kerk on the Noordeinde, Delft, oil on panel, 19.9 x 27.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A canal scene with the Lutherse Kerk on the Noordeinde, Delft

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Prins Hendrikkade with the Scheierstoren, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 32.7 x 42.5 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the Prins Hendrikkade with the Scheierstoren, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | Montelbaan's tower, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 80.0 x 100.0 cm, signed l.l.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

Montelbaan's tower, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Blaak and the Leuvehaven in Rotterdam, oil on panel, 32.7 x 45.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Blaak and the Leuvehaven in Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Herengracht, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 39.4 x 47.2 cm, signed l.l.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the Herengracht, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the West-Vest, Delft, oil on panel, 21.8 x 33.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the West-Vest, Delft

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Grimburgwal, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 60.0 x 80.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the Grimburgwal, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | 't Haagsche Veer te Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 60.8 x 81.0 cm, gesigneerd r.o.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

't Haagsche Veer te Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | Moored boats in a canal, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 39.0 x 53.2 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

Moored boats in a canal, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Zuydthavenpoort, Zierikzee, oil on panel, 20.0 x 27.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the Zuydthavenpoort, Zierikzee

Karel Klinkenberg | De Bierkade te Den Haag, oil on canvas, 39.7 x 47.3 cm, gesigneerd r.o.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

De Bierkade te Den Haag

Karel Klinkenberg | Figures on the Gelderse Kade, Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 90.0 x 150.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

Figures on the Gelderse Kade, Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | View of a canal, Delfshaven, oil on canvas, 40.0 x 53.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of a canal, Delfshaven

Karel Klinkenberg | View of Enkhuizen, oil on canvas, 39.3 x 47.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of Enkhuizen

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Delftsevaart, with the Raambrug beyond, Rotterdam, oil on canvas, 47.0 x 39.4 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the Delftsevaart, with the Raambrug beyond, Rotterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A canal in winter, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 47.0 x 39.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A canal in winter, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A townscape, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 39.2 x 53.0 cm, signed l.l.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A townscape, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Oudegracht, Utrecht, oil on panel, 22.0 x 27.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of the Oudegracht, Utrecht

Karel Klinkenberg | Townscape, oil on canvas laid down on panel, 32.4 x 36.7 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

Townscape

Karel Klinkenberg | The Hofvijver, The Hague, oil on canvas, 16.0 x 22.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The Hofvijver, The Hague

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of the Singel in winter, Amsterdam, oil on canvas, 51.0 x 70.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

A view of the Singel in winter, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | View of Dordrecht, oil on canvas, 39.0 x 53.2 cm, signed l.l.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of Dordrecht

Karel Klinkenberg | The 'Voorhaven', Delfshaven, oil on canvas, 38.5 x 53.5 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The 'Voorhaven', Delfshaven

Karel Klinkenberg | Canal with draw-bridge, oil on panel, 19.7 x 27.8 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

Canal with draw-bridge

Karel Klinkenberg | View of Delft, oil on canvas, 40.0 x 54.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

View of Delft

Karel Klinkenberg | Court yard, oil on canvas, 43.5 x 58.5 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

Court yard

Karel Klinkenberg | The 'Oude Hoofdpoort', Hoorn, oil on canvas, 58.0 x 78.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The 'Oude Hoofdpoort', Hoorn

Karel Klinkenberg | The Prins Hendrikkade with the Schreierstoren beyond, Amsterdam, oil on panel, 20.0 x 27.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

painting • previously for sale

The Prins Hendrikkade with the Schreierstoren beyond, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | The Grote markt and the Meat hall in Haarlem, watercolour on paper, 46.0 x 34.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

The Grote markt and the Meat hall in Haarlem

Karel Klinkenberg | The harbour of Hoorn, watercolour on paper, 16.8 x 24.7 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

The harbour of Hoorn

Karel Klinkenberg | A view from the water on Dordrecht, watercolour and gouache on paper, 20.6 x 24.9 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

A view from the water on Dordrecht

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Amstel, Amsterdam, watercolour and gouache on paper, 35.0 x 51.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

View of the Amstel, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A view of a Dutch town in winter, watercolour on paper, 29.1 x 41.7 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

A view of a Dutch town in winter

Karel Klinkenberg | View of the Zwanenburgwal, with the Zuiderkerk beyond, watercolour and gouache on paper, 35.0 x 51.0 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

View of the Zwanenburgwal, with the Zuiderkerk beyond

Karel Klinkenberg | A townscape, Amsterdam, watercolour on paper, 27.0 x 15.3 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

A townscape, Amsterdam

Karel Klinkenberg | A canal in winter, Leiden, watercolour on paper, 34.0 x 52.5 cm, signed l.r.

Karel Klinkenberg

watercolour • drawing • previously for sale

A canal in winter, Leiden


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