2126/​620

Ebba Carstensen (b. Västra Kvärnstorp, Scania 1885, d. Copenhagen 1967)

Portrait. Unsigned. Oil on canvas laid down on board. 62×58 cm.

“I get DKK 500 for a painting that my male colleague receives DKK 1,000 for. Why? Well, because I am a woman, and for some reason, those who buy paintings have more faith in a male artist.” The words come from the artist Ebba Carstensen in an interview with the magazine Social-Demokraten in 1943. The quote shows Carstensen's own awareness of the inequality in the art industry, which is why she worked throughout her life to improve women's conditions. Carstensen was a co-founder and board member of the organization Society of Female Artists, which looked after artists' interests and worked actively on improving women's conditions in society. In addition, Carstensen was also a member of the Croquis School, which gave women the opportunity to paint live models, which had not previously been possible at the Art Academy. In addition to the above-mentioned work with gender equality in the art industry, Carstensen's own artistic work is also impressive. Her motifs are wide-ranging, but a common thread in her oeuvre are sensuous modernist compositions. Carstensen received different types of education in Denmark and in Paris and also studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. She became the first female member of the Decembrists and also sat on the Academy Council. Carstensen is today represented at a number of art museums such as the National Gallery of Denmark, ARoS, Skive Kunstmuseum, Vejle Kunstmuseum, Esbjerg Kunstmuseum and many more. During her career, she received both the Eckersberg Medal and the Thorvaldsen Medal.

This lot is subject to Artist's Royalty.
Condition

Original condition.

Additional Remarks

Please note: The item is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. In the event of a hammer price of DKK 50,000 or more, including buyer’s premium, the buyer must submit a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of address in order to collect the item.

Auction

Modern art and design, 29 June 2021

Category
Estimate

4,000–6,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

4,200 DKK  

10 bids

When Bidder Bid
4,200 DKK
(Auto bid) 4,000 DKK
4,000 DKK
(Auto bid) 3,800 DKK
3,600 DKK
(Auto bid) 3,400 DKK
3,200 DKK
(Auto bid) 2,700 DKK
2,600 DKK
2,000 DKK