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Frans Helfferich (1871-1941), Spuistraat The Hague, signed and dated 'Frans Helfferich. 1902' (lower left), oil on canvas, 94x57,5 cm, Provenance: -Collection Dr. Detlef Strathmann, Germany. This monumental painting by Frans Helfferich is a major work in the oeuvre of the artist. Helfferich knew how to depict the lively atmosphere of the Spuistraat in The Hague. The street looks bustling and lively with elegant ladies and gentlemen walking about. People marvel at the attractive merchandise displayed in well-lit shop windows. The artistic quality of this composition can compete with many of the ‘Spuistraatjes’ of his contemporary Floris Arntzenius (1864-1925). Famous painters George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923) and Isaac Israels (1865-1934) also depicted bustling shopping streets by night, however, these often relate to streets in Amsterdam. This painting shows the modern life in The Hague at the turn of the century. Please compare the present lot to a painting with a similar composition of the artist depicted on a postcard in the collection of the Haags Gemeentearchief, The Hague, inv. no. 0.66394.