From Keizersgracht 374 to Keizersgracht 474. The legacy of painter Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen
The auction proceeds from the more than 1,200 lot numbers from this estate included in this auction will benefit the Amsterdam Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
In 1970, painter Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen (1937-2023) and his partner, Gerard Spruyt (1922-2011) bought the neglected canal house, Keizersgracht 374. After a years-long restoration, the building was donated to Stadsherstel in 2016, with the condition that the painter was able to live there until his death.
Their warm and beautiful canal house housed numerous objects and was a true eye-catcher for many visitors. Both gentlemen were known for their passion for collecting, for example the Roman Catholic Clemens collected nativity scenes and other religious objects. Gerard collected Chinese and Japanese porcelain, Japanese woodcuts, netsukes, snuff bottles and other Asian items (in the photo, lot number 4201). Largely beautifully arranged in display cabinets, spread over all floors of the building as well as in the garden house. He built up this extensive collection of Asian art from the 1970s to the early 21st century through purchases at auctions such as Mak van Waay, De Zon and de Zwaan, as well as from antique dealers in the Spiegelkwartier.
In the years before his death, Clemens thought about the proper use of his legacy. As for his own work: A selection of drawn cityscapes was donated to the City Archives, some of his paintings were sold in January, in accordance with his wishes, during a sales exhibition in the Amstelkerk and these works thus found their way to museums, family and friends . Another part of his own work is now offered in this auction.
The modest Merkelbach came from Breda, where he graduated from the liberal arts department of the Sint-Joost art academy in the 1950s. He continued his education at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam and mastered portrait painting under the guidance of his teacher Sierk Schröder. With the same attention with which he painted his portraits, Merkelbach also made a large number of city portraits. He has recorded various locations in Amsterdam both on paper and in oil paint (including lot numbers 7070, 7057).
The proceeds from all sub-collections of Clemens and Gerard included in this auction will go to their beloved Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Atder. Highlights from this collection cannot really be named. The diversity of the collection will ensure that collectors and enthusiasts will once again be amazed and will hopefully enjoy the objects with as much pleasure as both passionate collectors did.
Their canal house will be thoroughly restored this year and converted into studio homes. The house remains an artists’ home.
You will find all objects from the collection in the catalog under the heading Provenance: “Uit de nalatenschap van Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen”
