Lambertus Zijl (1866‑1947)
Pontianus van Spoleto Saint Pontianus of Spoleto
Lambertus Zijl
- Technique
- Clay
- Dimensions
- 23 x 12 x 8 cm
- Signature
- Signed
- Dated
- 1930
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Frequently asked questions
Can I view the artwork in person first?
Yes, of course. You are very welcome to view an artwork without any obligation. Viewings are available by appointment only. And the coffee will be ready.
Can I collect the artwork myself?
Yes. You can collect your purchase by appointment in Borne, Overijssel, the Netherlands. We will be happy to arrange a convenient time with you in advance.
How will the artwork be shipped?
Within the Netherlands, artworks are shipped by PostNL using registered and insured delivery.
International shipping is also available. We generally use DHL or a comparable carrier. Shipping costs depend on the size and weight of the artwork and the country of destination. Please feel free to contact us for a shipping quote.
For shipments outside the EU, import duties, import VAT, customs charges or other local fees may apply. Where applicable, these costs are the responsibility of the recipient.
Is the artwork insured during shipping?
Yes. Within the Netherlands, artworks are sent by registered and insured delivery to ensure your purchase is well protected during transit. For international shipments, we will agree the shipping method and insurance with you in advance.
Can I have my purchase delivered by a courier?
Yes. If you prefer, you can arrange collection and delivery with a specialised art courier yourself. We have had good experiences with Easy2Send, but you are of course free to choose another courier service.
How can I pay?
Payment can be made by bank transfer, iDEAL or, where applicable, in cash upon collection or delivery.
Why is VAT not shown separately on the website or my invoice?
Our second-hand artworks are sold under the VAT margin scheme for works of art. The price shown is the total price of the artwork; no additional VAT is added. Under the margin scheme, VAT is not shown separately on the invoice. The invoice will state “Bijzondere regeling - kunstvoorwerpen” (special scheme – works of art).
Can I return an artwork?
Yes. You may notify us within 14 days of receiving your artwork that you wish to cancel your purchase. You then have a further 14 days to return the artwork. The artwork should be returned carefully and, as far as possible, in the same condition in which it was received. Any reduction in value caused by damage or handling beyond what is necessary to assess the artwork may be deducted. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.
Do you also buy artworks?
Yes, we regularly purchase artworks. If you have an artwork you would like to sell, please send us a few clear photographs, the artist’s name, the dimensions and any additional information you may have. Based on this information, we can assess whether the work may be of interest to us and contact you to discuss the possibilities.
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About this sculpture
This unique sculpture in unfired clay depicts Saint Pontianus of Spoleto as a knight, mounted on a polychromed wooden base. The work was created around 1930 and is one of only a handful of Lambertus Zijl's models to have survived, probably due to the exceedingly brittle nature of the unfired clay he used. With his subdued, abstracted shapes, Zijl was a key proponent of the new Netherlandish modernist movement at the turn of the twentieth century.
This statuette offers a rare glimpse of Zijl's hands at work, quickly and effectively reducing the monumentality of one of the most famous medieval works of art from Utrecht Cathedral - the stone statue of Saint Pontianus of Spoleto now in the Centraal Museum - to the play of lines and plains so recognisably part of the School of Amsterdam. The work was made for Willem Vogelsang, one of the two first art history professors in the Netherlands, who would go on to become the rector magnificus of Utrecht University as well as the director of the Stedelijk Museum in Utrecht. The sculpture stands 23 cm tall and shows several small (some restored) cracks in the clay. Provenance: gift of the artist to Professor Willem Vogelsang, Utrecht, circa 1930 until 1955; by descent to his nephew, Professor Jan Willem Salomonson, Bilthoven, 1955 until 2017; and thence by family descent, The Netherlands, until 2021. Literature: published in M. Broekhuis et al., Lambertus Zijl 1866-1947 (1990) and J.W. Salomonson, Diversiteit en samenhang (2016). Both books are included with the sculpture.
About Lambertus Zijl
Lambertus Zijl (1866-1947) was one of the most important Dutch sculptors at the beginning of the 20th century, born on 21 December 1866 in Kralingen. He played a leading role in the development of Dutch sculpture in the transition from the 19th to the 20th century. Zijl became known mainly for his contributions to monumental art and his collaboration with architects within movements such as the Amsterdam School. An important part of Zijl's career was his collaboration with H.P. Berlage, with whom he worked on the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam.
Viewing & Shipping
This artwork can be viewed and collected in Borne, Overijssel. Viewing is non-binding and by appointment only. Worldwide shipping is available. Shipping costs upon request. All artworks are professionally packed and shipped insured.
