A Summer Evening by Lamp and by Moonlight (1853 CE)

Petrus van Schendel’s A Summer Evening by Lamp and by Moonlight is a captivating oil painting that transports viewers to a vibrant nocturnal scene, likely a bustling market street illuminated by the warm glow of lamps and the silvery sheen of moonlight. This artwork, a quintessential example of van Schendel’s romantic style, showcases his mastery of light and shadow, inviting viewers into a poetic and nostalgic depiction of 19th-century European nightlife.

Created in 1853, during van Schendel’s residence in Brussels, this painting emerged from the heart of the Romantic era, a period that celebrated emotion, beauty, and the sublime in everyday life. Petrus van Schendel, a Dutch-Belgian artist, was renowned for his nocturnal genre scenes. Born near Breda, Netherlands, he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and lived in various cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, before settling in Brussels in 1845. His nickname, “Monsieur Chandelle,” reflects his signature focus on candlelight and moonlight effects. While the specific inspiration for this painting remains unknown, it likely draws from van Schendel’s experiences in Dutch or Belgian urban settings, capturing the charm of traditional markets amidst the onset of industrialization.

Van Schendel’s fascination with light extended beyond painting; in 1841, he patented a device to improve steamship blades, showcasing his inventive spirit. His personal life was equally eventful, with three marriages and fifteen children, thirteen from his first wife, Elisabeth, who passed away in 1850. A notable anecdote from his later career involves his 1869 experiments with paintings illuminated by electric arc lights, a bold exploration of new technology. 

Within the context of 19th-century Romanticism, van Schendel’s painting serves as a nostalgic counterpoint to the rapid urbanization and industrialization of Europe. His use of chiaroscuro—the dramatic interplay of light and shadow—evokes a sense of intimacy and wonder, transforming ordinary market scenes into poetic tableaux. The work’s emphasis on both natural (moonlight) and artificial (lamp) light reflects the era’s fascination with technological progress while preserving the allure of traditional life. Symbolically, the painting may represent a harmonious balance between nature and human ingenuity, a recurring theme in Romantic art. 

A Summer Evening by Lamp and by Moonlight is an oil painting on wood panel, measuring 83.2 cm x 65.4 cm (32.75 in x 25.75 in). Signed by the artist, it exemplifies van Schendel’s meticulous technique in rendering light effects. The use of oil on wood allows for fine detail and luminous highlights, enhancing the contrast between the warm, flickering lamplight and the cool, ethereal moonlight. His chiaroscuro approach creates a three-dimensional effect, drawing attention to the figures and objects within the scene. 

The painting’s provenance is not fully documented, but it is currently in private ownership or held by the gallery Williams and Son. Its journey from van Schendel’s studio in Brussels to its present status likely involved private collectors, given the absence of records indicating public museum ownership.