Czech-painter-Tavik-Frantisek-Simon-(1877-1942)

Tavik FrantiŠek Šimon
(1877-1942)

Update January 2017:
Street in Amsterdam

On this page we show works of art by the artist T. F. Šimon,
mainly graphical artworks (not always big photos available),
compared with nowadays pictures taken from the same location.
If you have inspiration to make a comparative image,
you are welcome to send it to us.

BELGIUM

BRUGGE

Novak 64, 1907
Canal (Lange Rei) in Brugge

2009

Factory of gist (demolished) and houses
on canal 'Lange Rei' in Brugge.
Lithography by F. Stroobant (1846)

Lange Rei, Brugge 1888

CEYLON

"Stairways of Kandy Temple, Ceylon",
oil on canvas, 100 x 86 cm, ca.1927/28.
Signed T.F.Šimon.

Stairways of Kandy Temple.
This photo is taken by the artist himself.
January 29-30,1927.

CZECHIA

BRNO

Novak 1928, AP4
Sint Peter and Paul Church, Brno

2007

HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ

Novak 606, 1934
Small Street in Hradec Kralové

2008
Photo by Martin Jiranek

ČESKÝ KRUMLOV

Novak 277, 1917
Nocturne in Cesky Krumlov.

2007

Novak 229, 1914
Motif from (Cesky) Krumlov

Drawing by TFS (1914)

2011

Das alte Zeughaus, Krumlov

Novak 228,
Square, Cesky Krumlov

2011

KLATOVY

Novak 1938, AP5
The White Tower in Klatovy

2015
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

LITOMYŠL

Novak 231, 1914
Litomyšl in winter

2007

PRAGUE

Novak 1903, AP4
Certovka, Prague
(Devil's Creek)

2006
Photo by Petr Novak

Photo's from Prague by Zbynek Svoboda

Novak 81, 1908
Ice Rink under the Stone Bridge

2007

Novak 83, 1908
Zeleny Trh (Vegetable Market)

2010

Novak 84, 1908
Arcade in Uhelny Trh

2007

Novak 85, 1908
A quiet Spot in Hradcany

2009

Novak 86, 1908
MOTIV OD HELMOVÝCH MLÝNŮ (PRAGUE).
Motif from Helm's Mill, Prague

The location of Novak 86 was identified
and photos were sent by:
Mr. Pavel Novotny, author of the book
"Petrská ctvrt dum od domu"
(Libri Praha 2008).

Photo	Print
Oil painting by B.Havranek 1821-1899	Oil painting

Ca. 1890

Click: Map of Prague (1900)	Cadastre of Prague
Simon must have stood on the bank with his back to Helm's Mills. His view was oriented as the arrow (See the detail photo of the Cadastre).
The high building in the background of the print was one of New Mills (exactly Baborsky Mill). On the picture you see north part of the houses 1225 and 1226 in Barvírská ulice (these houses from the 14.th.century do not exist anymore and the river bed of Vltava is now aprox. 150 m northern) - On the recent map see (park) eastern part of street Lannova (between Barvírská and Holbova str.). Right part of Simon´s picture shows "Nové mlýny " on the map1242 (Baborský mlýn and Veselský mlýn) - also not existing anymore- it is now the western part of park Lannova, in front of the Post-stamp Museum.

Novak 124, 1910
Uhelny Trh, Prague

2007

Novak 137, 1911
Nocturne of Prague

2011

Novak 139, 1911
Bridge Tower of Stare Mesto (Prague)
and Křižovnické náměstí

2007

Novak 140, 1911
Husova Trida

2007

Novak 141, 1911
Ungelt

2007

Novak 143, 1911
Horologe of Stare Mesto

2007

Novak 144, 1911
Tynn Church and Town Hal.

2007

Novak 145, 1909
Old Town Square and Tyn Church

2007

Novak 147, 1911
Powder Gate (Prague)

2011

Novak 150, 1912
Gate of the Bridge Tower

2010

Novak 152, 1910
Radeckeho Namesti

2007

Novak 153, 1911

2007
St. Nicolas Church in Mala Strana

Novak 154, 1911
View from the Fürstenberg Gardens

2007

Novak 157, 1911
The new Stairs of the Castle

2007

Novak 158, 1911
Nerudova Street

2007

Novak 159, 1911
Loreta
(I-state, etching and pencil)

2009

Novak 161, 1911
Hradcany (The Castle)

2007

Novak 194, 1912
Novy Svet in Prague

2009

Novak 195, 1912
Mala Strana in Snow

2009

Novak 217, 1914
Charles Bridge and Křižovnické náměstí, Prague

2007

Novak 257, 1916
Cathedral from Lumbeova Zahrada, Prague

2011

Novak 260, 1916
Winter in mood

2011

Novak 266, 1916
Ice Rink under the Charles Bridge

2009

Novak 268, 1916
Staromestske Namesti.

2009

Novak 275, 1917
Hradcany (Castle) from the embankment (Prague)

2011

Novak 276, 1917
Charles Bridge and Hradcany in Winter

2007

Novak 283, 1917
Ice Rink under the Charles Bridge

2009

Novak 290, 1918
Narodni Divadlo (National Theatre, Prague)

2010

Novak 291, 1918
Zlata Ulicka in Winter, Prague

2011

Novak 301,
Arrival of President T.G. Masaryk (Prague)

2011
(In the background the National Theatre)

Novak 318, 1919
Bridge Tower and Hradcany

2010

Novak 320, 1919
Hradcany (Castle) with Masarykovo Nabrezi (Prague)

2011

Novak 325, 1920
Prague, Capital of Czechoslovakia

2007

Novak 327,
Hradcany (Prague castle) from Chotkovy Sady

2011

Novak 329
The Castle of Prague in the evening twilight

2011

Novak 331, 1920
Hradcany (castle) from Belvedere

2010

Novak 336, 1920
Hradcany and Novy Svet in Winter

2009

Novak 1920, AP1
Prague, Capital of Czechoslovakia

2008

Novak 343, 1921
Tyn Church, Prague

2007

Novak 359, 1921
Stone Bridge, Prague I

2010

Novak 360, 1921
Stone Bridge, Prague II

2007

Novak 361, 1921
Stone Bridge, Prague III

2007

Novak 378, 1922
Saint Nicolas Market, Prague

2009

Summer 2007

Winter 2009

Novak 391, 1924
Town hall of Stare Mesto (Old Town)

2010

Novak 392, 1924
Staro Mestske Namesti in Winter

2009

Novak 405, 1924
View trough the Gates of
the Bridge Tower of the old town (Prague)

2011

Novak 406, 1924
Silhouette of Hradcany in the Evening

2007

Novak 440, 1925
The stairs of the Castle in Winter

2009

Novak 447, 1926
The stairs of the Castle in Winter

Winter 2009

Autumn 2007

Novak 447, 1926
The stairs of the Castle in Winter

Novak 471,
Mount Petrin in the Mourning.

2010

Novak 503, 1929
Charles Bridge in winter

2009

Novak 592, 1932
Týn Church in the Morning

2007

Novak 602, 1933
The Castle from Jelení příkop

2015

Novak 615, 1935
Charles Bridge

2010

Novak 1934, AP3
Choir of St.Vitus Cathedral

2007

Novak 1934, AP4
Into Hradcanska Square

2009

Novak 1934, AP4
Detail of the baroque statue on the wall

Novak 619, 1936
The Stairs of the Castle

2007

Novak 1940, AP1
Štefánik Bridge, Prague

2007

PROSTEJOV

Novak 1941, AP2
Prostejov

2009
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

SLANY

Photos by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 617, 1936
View from the square onto the church in Slany.

2007

Novak 618, 1936
View from the church
onto the Town Hall in Slany.

2007

STRAMBERK

Novak 350, 1921
Nocturne in Stramberk

2010
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

FRANCE

AURAY

Novak 179, 1911
Nocturne in Auray, Brittany
(Simon's print is in reverse).

2013
Photo in reverse to compare the print by the artist.
(It is high probably the right location).

Postcard Auray (early 20th. century).

2013
Simon writes on the postcard that he visited Auray, Quimper, Lorient etc., he finds Brittany really beautiful and picturesque.

CHARTRES

Novak 111, 1909
Cathedral of Chartres

2008

Novak 363, 1921
Angel with sun-dial
Etching

2008
Angel with Sundial
(Cathedral of Chartres)

Novak 363, 1921
Angel with sun-dial
(Zincograph)

2008

Novak 446
Inside the Cathedral of Chartres

Inside the Cathedral of Chartres, 2008

Inside the Cathedral of Chartres, 2008

Drawing in pencil and watercolour (29,2 x 18,1cm),
showing the inside of the Chartres Cathedral.
This artwork was given by TFS to William Ganson Rose.

CHENONCEAUX

Novak 164, 1911
Château de Chenonceaux

2013

CONCARNEAU (Brittany)

Novak 434, 1925
Boats at Concarneau

Concarneau 2013
Nowadays there is no church to see at this location.
Behind the houses is a space with ruins of a church.
Probably the artist used his fantasy in this print.

A painter at the harbour of Concarneau

The history of the harbour (text on English and French).

2013

FÉCAMP (NORMANDY)

Beach at Fécamp (Normandie)
Oil-painting, 1934

Beach at Fécamp, circa 1934
On the photo above Ivan Šimon (son of the artist) on the beach, who used to travel with his parents and
brother Pavel Šimon to Normandie.

Chalk cliffs at Normandy
Oil on canvas, 81,5 x 100 cm, 1934.

Normandy 2006

MONT SAINT MICHEL (Normandy)

Novak 176, 1911
Le Mont Saint Michel in the Fog

2013

Novak 439, 1925
Le Mont Saint Michel in the evening

2013

MORLAIX (Brittany)

Novak 493, 1929
Nocturne in Morlaix, Brittany.

2013

PARIS

The house of T F Šimon in Paris, Ca.1912

2008

Rue Humboldt 25 (14th district of Paris). From ca.1926 on this street was called Rue Jean Dolent. In the thirties the small part of Rue Jean Dolent, in where this house is located, got the name Rue Verhaeren. This is the present name for the small alley in where the house is located. A French couple was so kind to give the opportunity to make an image from out of a window of their house.

Vilma Šimonova and daughter Eva.
In the atelier. Ca 1912.

Novak 56, 1907
Quai Montebello, Paris

2008

Novak 73, 1908
Pont Marie, Paris

2008

The Pont Marie was one of the group of three bridges designed to open up the Ile Saint Louis when its urbanisation began in the 17th century. It joins the island to the right bank and is the counterpart to the Pont de la Tournelle, along the same axis but on the left bank side. This system was completed by the Pont Saint Louis joining up with the Ile de la Cité. This bridge was the due to the obstinacy of the enterprising Christophe Marie, who as early as 1605 proposed its construction and after whom it is named.

Novak 93, 1908
Arc de Triomphe, Paris

2008

Novak 96, 1908
Notre-Dame de Paris in snow

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 99, 1909
Porte Saint-Martin, Paris

2008

Novak 101, 1909
Communicants at la Madeleine, Paris

2008

Novak 106, 1909
First flight of the aeroplane, Paris.

Postcard written by T F Šimon to his friend
and Czech artist Hugo Boettinger.

Reverse. 06.06.1910

Novak 1909, AP1
Communicants on the steps
of La Madeleine, Paris

2008

La Madeleine, Paris
(Collection TFS)

Novak 1909, AP2
Quai de la Tournelle in snow, Paris

2008

Quai de la Tournelle, Paris
(Collection TFS)

Novak 119, 1910
Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris

2008

Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris
(Collection TFS).

Photo Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris
(Collection TFS).

Novak 129, 1910
Place de la Concorde, Paris

2008

Postcard written by T F Šimon, 1904
Place de la Concorde, Rue Royale and La Madeleine.

Novak 131, 1910
Porte St. Denis, Paris.

2008

Les petites Marchandés, Paris.
(Collection TFS)

Porte St. Denis, Paris.
(Collection TFS)

Novak 132, 1910
Boulevard Saint-Denis, Paris

2008

Postcard written by T F Šimon to
the artist Hugo Boettinger, 1904

Novak 134, 1911
Apse of Notre-Dame de Paris

2008

Novak 170, 1911
Rosette of Notre-Dame de Paris

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 177, 1911
La Sainte Chapelle, Paris

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

The balcony and front door of La Sainte Chapelle.
The entrance of the Chapel is on the first floor.

Novak 178, 1911
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

2008

Novak 185, 1912
Facade of Notre-Dame de Paris

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 187, 1912
Bourse des Valeurs

2008

Novak 193, 1912
Bourse des Valeurs

2008

Novak 203, 1913
Nocturne of Notre Dame, Paris

2008

Novak 220, 1914
Boulevard Saint-Martin in Winter

Summer 2008

Novak 225, 1914
Quai Voltaire, Paris

2008

Novak 227, 1914
Place Maubert, Paris

2008

Photo of Street R.F. Sauton, <1938.
(From Place Maubert to the River Seine,
where you can see Notre-Dame de Paris).

T F Šimon
(Drawing in pencil and watercolour)

Novak 240, 1916
Place du Chatelet
(Tour Saint-Jacques)

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 243, 1916
Rue Royale et la Madeleine

2008

Novak 244, 1916
Place de la Concorde

2008

Place de la Concorde
(Collection TFS)

Novak 246, 1916
Bouquinistes

2008

Novak 247, 1916
Jardin du Luxembourg

2008

Novak 249, 1916
Place de la Bastille

2008
The Opera on Place de la Bastille

Novak 348, 1921
Place the la Bastille, Paris

2008
The Opera on Place de la Bastille

Novak 349, 1921
Rue Royale and La Madeleine, Paris

2008

Novak 351, 1921
Place de l'Etoile in the rain, Paris

2008

Novak 352, 1921
Notre-Dame de Paris in winter

2008
This picture is taken from the bridge
more close to Notre-Dame de Paris

Novak 353, 1921
Boulevard Saint-Denis, Paris

2008

Novak 357, 1921
Rag-dealers under the Pont Neuf

2008

Novak 370, 1922
Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris

2008

Novak 371, 1922
Quai aux fleurs, Paris

2008

Quai aux Fleurs.
Photo, ca. 1922
(Collection TFS)

Novak 372, 1922
Rue Saint Jacques, Paris

2008

Novak 373, 1922
Rue Mouffetard in the morning, Paris

2008

Novak 374, 1922
Antiquarian Booksellers at Notre-Dame de Paris

2008

Novak 375, 1922
Porte Saint-Denis, Paris

2008

Novak 377, 1922
Rose window of Notre-Dame de Paris

2008

Novak 380, 1922
Court du Dragon, Paris

Court du Dragon (Demolished)
(Entrance from Rue de Rennes in Paris).

Entrance of Court du Dragon, Paris (Rue de Rennes, 1925)

Novak 385, 1923
Notre-Dame de Paris in Twilight

2008

Novak 386, 1923
Pont Marie in winter

2008
(Enlarged quay-road)

Novak 387, 1923
Eglise Saint Eustache

2008

Novak 397, 1924
Quai Saint-Michel, Paris

2008

Novak 398, 1924
Pont Neuf, La Cité

2008

Novak 399, 1924
Near Saint Eustache, Paris

2008

Novak 400, 1924
Bourse du Commerce, Paris

2008

Novak 401, 1924
Sous le Pont-Neuf, Paris

2008

Novak 402, 1924
Quai des Orfêvres, Paris

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 403, 1924
Quai Malaquai, Paris

2008

Novak 407, 1924
Apse of Notre-Dame in winter

2008

Novak 408, 1924
Quai d'Anjou, Paris

2008

Novak 1924, AP1
Bookstalls and Notre-Dame in Paris

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 429, 1925
Rue Royale in the rain

2008

Novak 430, 1925
Quai de la Tournelle in autumn

2008

Novak 432, 1925
Notre-Dame de Paris in Winter

2008

Novak 435, 1925
Place de la Concorde, Paris

2008

Novak 438, 1925
Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris

2008

Novak 1925, AP1
Booksellers on the Quai des Grands Augustins

2008

Novak 442, 1926
Pont Sully in Winter

Old postcard
(The bridge does not exist anymore)

Novak 443, 1926
By the Seine in Winter, Paris

2008

Novak 444, 1926
The old Bibliophile, Paris

2008

Novak 1926, AP2
Petit Pont

2008
(A roof to make the road wider)

Novak 1926, AP3
Les Halles and l'Eglise Saint-Eustache, Paris

2008

Les Halles, Paris
(Collection TFS)

Le Marché dans la Rue, Paris
(Collection TFS)

Postcard written by T F Šimon, 1910
Les Halles et l'Église Saint-Eustache.
Enlarge

Novak 454, 1927
Eglise Saint-Gervais in Winter, Paris

2008

Novak 455, 1927
Pont Saint-Michel, Paris

2008

Novak 464, 1927
Notre-Dame de Paris in the Evening

2008

Novak 475, 1928
Entrée du Louvre, Paris

2008

Novak 477, 1928
Fireworks in Paris

2008
On the left you see the building
'La Conciergerie'.
(Palace of Justice)

Palace of Justice
Postcard written by T F Šimon. 1906

Novak 494, 1929
Antiquarian Bookseller at Notre-Dame de Paris

2008

Novak 504, 1929
Notre-Dame de Paris in the Rain

2008

Novak 506, 1929
Rue Saint-Jacques, Paris

2008

Novak 532, 1932
Arc de Triomphe, Paris

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

REIMS

Novak 308
Reims 1919. Cathedral

Reims

2008
Cathedral of Our Lady of Rheims
(Notre-Dame de Reims)

Novak 309
Reims 1919, Over a ruined city

2008
Place Royal

Novak 310
Reims 1919. South tower of the Cathedral

2008.
Rue d'Anjou

Novak 311
Reims 1919. Ruined Cathedral

2008

Novak 313
Reims 1919, Place d'Erlon??

2008
'Place d'Erlon'

Novak 314
Reims 1919. An alley with the Cathedral

2008
Rue de Tresor

Novak 315
Reims 1919. Remains of old Gates.
(Back of the Gate).

1919 Photo: Travel guide 'Michelin (1920).	2008
Front of the 16th-century Chapter's Gate (Rue Carnot) that leads to an inner-cour close to the Cathedral of Reims.

Novak 316
Reims 1919. In ruïns.

2008
Rue du Serail

Novak 323
Cathedral of Reims after the war

2008
Cathedral
More of Reims

TOURS

Novak 1911, AP1
Inside the Cathedral of Tours (France)

2013

Novak 196, 1912
Cathedral of Tours

2013
(In reverse)

ITALY

Fiesole

Novak 505, 1929
Fiesole near Florence in the Evening

2016

ROME

Novak 600, 1933
Arco Trionfo on the Forum, Rome
Arch of Septimus Severus (Roman Emperor)

2008
Photo by Hana Rezkova

Novak 601, 1933
Arco Tito on the Forum, Rome

2008
Photo by Hana Rezkova

VENICE

N 1900 AP2
Lagoon, Venice
(The artist made this print in reverse)

Canal di San Marco, taken from Riva Degli Schiavoni.
Island on the background: San Giorgio Maggiore.

2016
(in reverse)

Current view of the location

Novak 49, 1906
Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice
(The artist made this print in reverse)

2016
(in reverse)

Current view of the location

Novak 52, 1906
Palazzo di Desdemona, Venice

(photo collection TFS).

2016
In reverse

2016
Current view of the location

Novak 75, 1908
Torre dell 'Orologio, Venice
(no big image available)

2016

Novak 80, 1908
Antique Horses At San Marco, Venice

2016
4 Antique Horses in front of the San Marco

View of San Marco Square

Novak 89, 1908
Riva Degli Schiavoni, Venice

2016

Watercolour on paper, 1902
Riva Degli Schiavoni, Venice

2016

Novak 1908 AP4
Corner of San Marco Square in Venice

2016

M0ROCCO

TANGER

Postcard (1913)

Photo: Vilma and daughter Eva.

Postcard sent from Tanger

Dear Hugo,
we went to Tanger after all and we don't regret it since it is marvellous, truly biblical world of Arabs and Muslims of Africa here. These are the most spectacular impressions during our trip - whole Spain is nothing and "swindle" beside this. One feels completely out of Europe and like in the days of Christ here. I think that India cannot give more. Sincere regards from us all.
Tanger 18/IV. 1913 The Simons.
(Translation: Zbynek Svoboda)

Tanger 1913 (photo in black and white).
This oil painting shows in the background the tower of the old Mosque and in front the palace of Justice.

The old Mosque

2011

Postcard from 1913

2011

The old Mosque

2011

Novak 1918 AP1

Drawing 1913

It is difficult to trace the exact location of the view on the oil painting and print Novak 1918 AP1. The location has changed very much since the artist was in Tanger.

To get an impression we show the photo on the right: The Square in Tanger with a fountain where in the past was located the big (Socco) market. The market is moved about ten years ago. On the image you can see two gates, one in the left corner and one in the background that leads to a huge covered colourful market where people are selling fruit and other products nowadays.

Inside the (Socco) Market

Socco in Tanger. Oil-painting (1913).

A similar gate in Tanger

Postcard 1913. Socco (market) of Tanger seen from Medina Gate.

Tanger, Medina Gate (1913). Oil painting
(photo in black and white).

Formerly square of (Socco) the market
and Medina Gate in the background.

2011
A part of the inner side of the gate is broken off.

Novak 201
Arab stalls in Tangier

2011

Novak 205, 1913
Arab Stall in Tanger

2011

Novak 205, 1913.
Arab Stall in Tanger (detail).

2011

The artist was in 1913 in Tanger,
this print is listed in the catalogue as Novak 1926 AP1

The location of the print does not exist anymore.
The photo shows a similar situation in the oldest part of the town.
People in this area do not want you to make photo's more close.

Drawing (1913)

2011

NETHERLANDS

AMSTERDAM

Parts of two letters written by T.F. Šimon to his wife Vilma.
Translation into English in 2003 by Mr. Ivan Šimon (1914-2009), son of the artist.

Amsterdam, Victoria Hotel.
Mai 15, 1912------------------I will stay here still longer (perhaps 14 days) and give my best efforts to my work, which will be my only consolation. These days a representative of the Dorens (a very pleasant man) took me around Amsterdam – through sections I never dreamed of – some sort of ghetto- from which I expect to gain some inspiration--------------------

Mai 22------------- These days I was showing to Dorens and his representative my work, drawings, oil-sketches, and colour drawings and we agreed on the selection of subjects. Now it remains to produce the designs for the copper plates. I have already one almost finished and I want to produce at least one more, so that I would not need to come back here from Paris.. As I wrote you; they (the Dorens) are quite good people, businessmen of course, but of quite different kind, say the Petits or other French businessmen. Surprisingly, they are understanding, they give me complete freedom in the choice of my subjects and the way of rendering it and they do not ask for (as I expected it) some well known views of Amsterdam, rather then letting me to do some intimate, unusual subjects. I worked a lot these days and I will have a lot of material for both the colour as well as the black etchings. For the black ones, I was most impressed by the Jewish quarter, the people as well the character of the little streets. If we stay in Paris this summer I hope to finish some of these etchings in addition to the colour ones which were ordered.--------------------

Amsterdam 'Nieuwmarkt'. 1912
'Place du Marché Amsterdam'
(Drawing in pencil and aquarel, signed TFS 1912).

2007

Damrak. 1909
(Photo from reproduction)
(Drawing. Signed TFS and dated 1909)

2009
Damrak
Taken out of a window of Victoria Hotel in Amsterdam.

Zaandam. 1909

A drawing in pencil, signed in pencil Zaandam FS, showing the windmill called ‘Sint Willibrordus '(also called 'Verdwaalde boer'), situated at ‘Het Kalf” in Zaandam (Holland). On the background you can see the mill called ‘Oranjeboom’. The windmill St. Willibrordus was built in 1669 as an oil-windmill and since 1892 used as a peeling mill. In 1938 the windmill was demolished to its base.

Zaandam.
This photo was taken by the artist himself on a trip to Holland starting the 20's. All the windmills on the photo are now demolished.
The yard of the mill 'Sint Willibrordus' is nowadays situated on the terrain of factory Gerkens-cacao.

Region of Zaandam (Noord-Holland)
Photos were taken by the artist himself

Region of Zaandam

Typical landscape of the region

Novak 104, 1909
Old harbour, Amsterdam.
(Damrak)

2007

'Damrak'. 1935

Novak 104, 1909
Old harbour, Amsterdam.
(in reverse)

Novak 116, 1909
Canal in Amsterdam

2008
This image is taken from a small bridge.
View from 'Spooksteeg (Ghost-alley)' to 'Het Kolkje'.
This location is the oldest part of
Amsterdam

Novak 116, 1909
Canal in Amsterdam
(in reverse)

Novak 117, 1909
Old houses of A'dam.
Oudezijds Achterburgwal
(Back of Zeedijk 48,
Also called 'Rottenest').

Whistler (1834-1903)
The balcony, Amsterdam. (K405iii)1889.
(Oudezijds Achterburgwal).

Whistler made the print 'The balcony, Amsterdam' in 1889, when he spent two months in the Netherlands. In fact, the artist visited this country several times. He found the rivers and canals inspiring and was especially enthralled by Amsterdam. In a series of prints he reordered his favourite parts of the city: the picturesque canals of the slum areas with their dilapidated houses and rows of washing lines. Whistler depicted the city form the water. He sailed around on a boat and recorded what he saw from his low perspective: the water, the quayside and the basements of the canal-side houses. Inspired by Rembrandt's etchings, Whistler breathed new life into the art form. He experimented with a range of etchings. Whistler's Amsterdam etchings influenced several other artists, including the Dutch artists Witsen and Breitner (who recorded his impressions of the city in photo's and paintings) and the Czech artist T.F.Šimon (who visited the Whistler exhibition in London in 1905). Obviously is the influence of Whistler in Šimon 's artwork 'Old houses of Amsterdam'.

The painter and etcher James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), born as James Abbot Whistler, visited the Netherlands on a number of occasions between 1863 and 1903. Whistler was an American by birth but lived in Paris and London. He visited Amsterdam, Dordrecht and various places on the island of Walcheren, and made prints of many scenic spots he discovered by boat. One of the first artist to work from a low perspective, he was not primarily interested in famous buildings but rather the hidden corners of the old, dilapidated city centre.

Ca. 1915. Oudezijds Achterburgwal
Oudezijds Achterburgwal
(Back of Zeedijk 48)

1890
Oudezijds Achterburgwal
Photo: George Hendrik Breitner
(Dutch painter and photographer)

Novak 212, 1913
Old Canal.
Oudezijds Achterburgwal

2007

Novak 212, 1913
Old Canal. Oudezijds Achterburgwal

Oudezijds Achterburgwal, 2007

Madelievenstraat in Amsterdam
Drawing in pencil- and watercolour. 42 x 33 cm.
Signed in pencil T.F. Šimon. Stamp/ Monogram TFŠ. Circa 1912.
Corner of Madelievenstraat/ Anjelierstraat in Amsterdam.
(on the blue sign is noted: kolen pakhuis - coal warehouse)
Photo: Zbynek Svoboda, 2017

Circa 1920.

Link to a modern view, 2017
https://www.google.nl/maps/@52.3765707,
4.8801301,3a,90y,329.3h,95.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szD44ts_ab3ul-QfO3JYwCg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Novak 326, 1920
Snow in Amsterdam
(Stromarkt' and 'Koepelkerk).

2010

Amsterdam / Stromarket (Haymarket) and Koepelkerk (Domechurch), Ca.1910
Photo: George Hendrik Breitner (Dutch painter and photographer).

DORDRECHT

Novak 183, 1912
Harbour of Dordrecht, Holland

2011

POLAND

Photos by Zbyněk Svoboda

KRAKOW

Novak 16, 1905
Square in Krakow

2009

Novak 16 (in reverse)
T.F. Šimon was in Krakow in 1905.
Drawing in a sketchbook
Signed FS 05 and Krakov

Woman selling flowers
Drawing in a sketchbook
Signed FS and Krakov 1905

Novak 31, 1905
In Krakow
Entrance to the Cloth-Hall

This building was erected in 1257, it has been renovated and enlarged several times (most recently in 1879). Nowadays on the first floor is situated the Polish National Museum of Art.

Novak 31, 1905
In Krakow
Entrance to the Cloth-Hall
Drawing in a sketchbook
Signed FS 05

2009

The Tower of the Town Hall in Krakow
(The town hall is demolished in 1820)
Drawing in a sketchbook
Signed FS 05

2009

Krakow. St. Barbara's Church
Drawing in a sketchbook.
Signed FS 05

2009

SLOVAKIA

Novak 368, 1922
Popradske Pleso (Lake Poprad, Tatra, Slovakia)

2007
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 368, 1922
Popradske Pleso (Lake Poprad, Tatra, Slovakia)

Popradske Pleso (Lake Poprad, Tatra, Slovakia)
photo-max

Novak 384, 1923
Orava Castle, Slovakia.

Orava Castle, Slovakia.
Photo by the Slovak
photographer Karel Plicka, ca.1953.

Novak 1923, AP2
Orava Castle, Slovakia.

Photo by the Slovak photographer
Karel Plicka, ca.1953.

Novak 409, 1924
Square in Kremnica, Slovakia.

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

Novak 410, 1924
Strecno Castle, Slovakia.

Photo by the Slovak photographer
Karel Plicka, ca.1953.

Strecno Castle on the river Vah (Slovakia)
Oil on canvas (1924). Signed T.F. Šimon .
The first owner of this painting was
the Czech composer and violist Josef Suk (1874 – 1935).

Photo by the Slovak photographer
Karel Plicka, ca.1953.

Novak 589, 1932
Strecno na Vahu
(Strecno Castle on the river Vah)

2008
Photo by Zbyněk Svoboda

SPAIN

Granada/ Alhambra

Novak 213, 1913
Alhambra in Granada (Spain)

2011
Photo by Rocío and José Mariá Flores Velasco

Ronda

View of Ronda. Oil painting (1913).

2011

Drawing (1913) of Ronda and the bridge Puente Nuevo .

2011

Novak 206, 1913
Puente Nuevo at Ronda
The bridge was finished in 1793.
It took 42 years to built the bridge.
Architect: José Martin de Aldehuela (1729-1802).

2011
In the chasm are ruins of houses and mills.

Novak 216, 1914
Andalusians in Ronda
(The background of this print is a fantasy).

2011
Arena of Ronda

Novak 230, 1914
Don Quichote in front of the Castle

2011
The print by the artist is a fantasy, he used several motifs of Ronda. There are three bridges spanning the canyon: Puente Viejo ("Old Bridge", also known as the Puente Romano "Roman bridge", Puente Arabe "Arab bridge" and Puente Nuevo ("New bridge"). You see Don Quichote and Sancho Panzo on their horses on the Arab bridge and the Roman bridge in the background, the third "Puente Nuevo" connecting the old- with the new town. It is not possible to see the three bridges at the same time as in Simon's print.