2451/​152

David Monies (b. Copenhagen 1812, d. Frederiksberg 1894)

Portrait of state pawnbroker Johan Rubring Harboe, called Uncle Harboe (1762–1840). Unsigned. Oil on canvas. 57×46 cm.

Johan Rubring Harboe (1762–1840) ran Det Kgl. Assistenshus, which was the state pawnbroking company, where the capital's poor could borrow against a mortgage on their possessions. Harboe made sure to employ his nephews, through whom Assistenshuset remained for decades in the hands of the Harboe, Abel and Hansteen families. He therefore became popularly known as “Uncle Harboe” and “Uncle” gradually became common slang for a pawnbroker, while “aunt” then in turn became slang for the empty wallet. This in turn gave rise to the saying “speaking for one's sick aunt”.

The portrait of Harboe must have been painted after he had been awarded the Order of the Dannebrog in April 1834, and is a rare, albeit indirect image of the poverty of the time.

Provenance: Grand nephew of the person portrayed, cand.theol. Lorentz Christian Hansteen; gifted in 1875 to the office manager at the Assistenshuset, Johan Henrik Valdemar Abel (1839–1920), whose father had been a clerk at the Assistenshuset and great-nephew to Harboe.

Condition

The canvas is relined. Crackles and a few small retouches.

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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Starting in Lyngby
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Estimate

2,000–3,000 DKK

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Delivery in the United States from 1,310 DKK provided the final price does not exceed 50,000 DKK

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