Identity:

Carel Vosmaer was an etcher and writer on art.

Life:

Vosmaer was the secretary of the Exhibiton of Living Masters, which awarded Whistler a gold medal for his Thames etchings at Tentoonstelling van Kunstwerken van Levende Meesters, Hague School of Art, Princessegracht, The Hague, 1863. In August 1863, when Whistler visited Holland, Vosmaer found him some sheets of old Dutch paper. As a token of his appreciation, Whistler sent him three proofs printed on the paper: Eagle Wharf (K.41), Black Lion Wharf (K.42) and The Lime-burner (K.46). Apparently, Vosmaer did not attach much importance to these etchings, and a year later, suggested exchanging one for prints by Jean-Pierre Norblin de la Gourdaine, but was advised not to split up the set. However, Vosmaer hoped to send Whistler the first of his studies of Rembrandt: Rembrandt Harmesn van Rijn, ses précurseurs et ses années d'apprentissage, The Hague, 1863 (see C. Vosmaer to JW, 1 February 1864, #01948).

Bibliography:

Heijbroek, J. F., (ed.), De verzameling van mr. Carel Vosmaer (1826-1888) [The collection of Carel Vosmaer (1826-1888)], The Hague/Amsterdam, 1989; Heijbroek, J. F. and Margaret F. MacDonald, Whistler and Holland, Zwolle and Amsterdam, 1997;