Martinus Rørbye (b. Drammen 1803, d. Copenhagen 1848)
Purchased by Den Gamle By in December 2022.
“En Torvedag i Wiborg”. A market scene in Viborg. Signed with monogram and dated 1831. Oil on canvas laid on canvas. 41×28 cm.
Thorvaldsens Museum, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of Martinus Rørbye no. 55, reproduced p. 180.
Exhibited: Charlottenborg 1831 no. 59. An etching was made after the painting, which was distributed among the members of Kunstforeningen (the Art Association).
Literature: Georg Nygaard, “Maleren Martinus Rørbyes Rejsedagbog 1830”, Cph. 1930, reproduced p. 30 and mentioned pp. 28–29 with a longer description of Rørbye's visit to Viborg, where he was staying between 11 and 14 June. He visited friends, the Cathedral and experienced a day at the market (in Danish): “I went to a market day in Viborg today, where the most important goods are, besides food, heath peat (lyngtørv), wooden shoes and blackpots (jydepotter)”.
Reproduced: Små Kunstbøger no. 22 p. 21.
Provenance: The painting was disposed of by lottery and won by Major Cathala. Wine merchant Sandberg. 1871 sold to Councillor of State Broberg. Councellor Carl Reisz, his widow Mrs Reisz (1905). Rørbye made a watercolour in his sketchbook during his stay in Viborg, which forms the basis for the oil painting. That one reproduced p. 29 in the travel journal. In addition, he made several sketches of public life, which he observed in the bustle of the various marketplaces he visited.
The Danish National Museum and the National Gallery of Denmark each own a study for this painting. Both reproduced in the exhibition catalogue “Martinus Rørbye. Det nære og det fjerne”, 2014 p. 95.
Condition report on request. Contact fine-art@bruun-rasmussen.dk
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.
Paintings and drawings, 29 November 2022