Wilhelm Marstrand (b. Copenhagen 1810, d. s.p. 1873)
Purchased by the National Museum in Stockholm in May 2018.
“En auctionsscene”. An auction scene. Matrons are fighting to investigate a uniform jacket. 1835. Unsigned. Oil on canvas. 80×117 cm.
Exhibited: Charlottenborg 1836 no. 94.
Kunstforeningen, “Marstrand Udstilling”, 1898 no. 36.
Literature: Karl Madsen, “Wilhelm Marstrand”, 1905, mentioned p. 39, reproduced p. 40. Små Kunstbøger no.10, reproduced p. 10. Gitte Valentiner, “Wilhelm Marstrand. Scenebilleder”, 1992, mentioned p. 19–20, reproduced p. 19.
Nivaagaard Malerisamling owns a study for the present painting dated 1835.
Provenance: Councillor of State, wine merchant Christian Waagepetersen. Wine merchant to the court Emil Arentzen, Consul General. Johan and Martin Levin's collection, their auction 1923 no. 84, reproduced p. 17. Consul General Ole Olsen's collection. Art publisher Rudolf Olsen. Bruun Rasmussen auction 84, 1957 no. 136, reproduced p. 89. Bruun Rasmussen auction 488, 1986 no. 5, reproduced p. 13.
The painting is one of Marstrand's last major genre paintings depicting everyday life in Copenhagen in the 1830s. He describes an auction scene in a beautiful high-ceilinged green-painted room. A red uniform jacket is offered for sale, and it creates a sensation! Several matrons are trying to get hold of the jacket; but a well-nourished matron with bonnet and glasses has got the best grip and examines the jacket with the air of an expert and serenity in the midst of all the turmoil. Around this scene, other more or less comical incidents take place.
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.
Evening sale: Paintings, 29 May 2018