Early Dutch watercolour 1902 - Ref. Oct107

Early Dutch watercolour 1902 - Ref. Oct107

Unfortunately, I know virtually nothing about the artist, apart from the fact that it was evidently painted in Japan in 1902 and that the artist may have been a P.O.W. at the time.  Very intriguing indeed, why was he a (possible) P.O.W., and, was he somehow connected to the Russo-Japanese war of 1904? The Dutch colonies like Bavaria, were also in conflict at the time, did this influence him in any way? The dates don't quite line up but that may be incidental. This is the only information I received when I bought the painting from a gallery in England some time back.

The subject, painted in water-colour, is so typically 'Dutch"which is why I purchased it, being Dutch myself.
It portrays a typical farmer and his wife, evidently heading off to market, against a blue sky filled with clouds, a typical windmill in the distance, a boat, and lots of water.  Having lived in Holland, I can assure you there is lots and lots of water, and, the skies are seldom without some cloud!!
But, it is a delightful scene depicting ordinary, country life.  Maybe our artist was homesick when he painted the above. We don't know his name, only his initials 'A.v.H', the 'v' evidently standing for 'van'.
The painting measures 38cm by 48cm and has been recently professionally re-framed and re-glazed, the frame being in immaculate condition.  The painting itself shows no 'foxing' nor marks, spots or blemishes of any kind and, is also, in immaculate condition.