2450/​9557

Painter unknown, 19th century

Portrait of Robert Wilhelm Ekman (1808–1873). Unsigned. Inscribed Personage inconnu (Unknown person). Pencil on paper. Sheet size 19×14.5 cm. Unframed.

Exhibited: The Nivaagaard Collection, “Venskabsportrætter fra Rom”, 2016, Cat. No. 51, mentioned p. 75, ill. p. 74.

Provenance: Circolo Scandinavo / Skandinavisk Forening i Rom (Inv. No. AI 24).

Robert Wilhelm Ekman began his education in his home country Finland, before going to Sweden with his brother to study at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm. Here Ekman completed his education in 1836 and was afterwards rewarded a generous travelling grant for having excelled in his studies.

The grant financed Ekman's trip to Italy (1840–43), where he settled in Subiaco, not far from Rome. In Italy, Ekman often socialized with his Scandinavian colleagues as described in the catalogue “Venskabsportrætter fra Rom” (in Danish): “At local taverns in Rome, he met Scandinavian colleagues - even so often that several were reportedly worried about the Finnish artist's work” (p. 75).

The joy of life and the Italian surroundings is reflected not only in the present drawing by Ekman, but also in his painterly production, as he only produced a limited amount of paintings during his stay in Italy. In the present portrait, Ekman is depicted wearing a robe and a patterned hat sitting askew on the top of his head. With his eyes on the long pibe and his hand supporting his head, he looks very relaxed sitting in the chair.

Condition

The paper has turned slightly yellow. Marks from earlier mount in corners. Minimal crease in the upper left corner. Minimal damp discolourations along white spots of variable sizes. Minor hole at the upper edge along with minimal paper loss along the lower edge. Lefterovers from tape on the back alog the upper edge.

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.

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6,000–8,000 DKK

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