Michael Ancher (b. Bornholm 1849, d. Skagen 1927)
Portrait of Josef Bonatzi (1845–1913), the Bohemian cobbler from Skagen. Unsigned. Oil on canvas. 55×42 cm.
Provenance: The artist's daughter Helga Ancher, her estate auction Bruun Rasmussen 178, 1965 no. 31. Bruun Rasmussen auction 561, 1991 no. 69, ill. p. 45.
Presumably a study for a full figure portrait of Bonatzi from 1906, this sold at Bruun Rasmussen auction 909, 2022 no. 8.
Bonatzi was one of Skagen's true characters. The Bohemian cobbler had travelled by foot through Europe before he was eventually stopped by the sea at the tip of Skagen in 1882. Here he remained – living in a dilapidated hut until his death in 1913. After his death, the house was burned as a Midsummer’s Eve bonfire, which is depicted in a painting by Carl Locher. Several paintings were made by Michael Ancher, where he used Bonatzi as a model in his depictions of life in Skagen.
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.