P. S. Krøyer (b. Stavanger 1851, d. Skagen 1909)
“En Flok Drenge ude i det solglitrende Vand”. A group of boys in the glinting water. Signed and dated S. Krøyer Skagen 92. Oil on canvas. 38.5×60.5 cm.
H. Chr. Christensen, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of P. S. Krøyer no. 508, a study for no. 510 in the Catalogue Raisonné with the title: “En Flok Drenge ude i det solglitrende Hav. Inde ved Strandkanten er tre, og paa Sandet en Dreng i Løb ud mod de andre” (A group of boys in the glinting water. Three on the beach and one in the sand running towards the others). The numbers 502 to 509 are all studies from 1892 for no. 510. The last one exhibited at Charlottenborg in 1893, here with the shorter title “Badende Drenge” (Boys bathing).
Exhibited: Kunstforeningen, “P. S. Krøyer 1851–1909”, 1910 no. 221.
Provenance: Merchant, factory owner Chr. Hasselbalch (1923).
The painting here is one of several different studies for the final work from 1892. This one with the measurements 132×198 cm and owned by count Julius Andrassy in Budapest in both 1910 and 1923. The painting later disappeared, while studies for the iconic work from time to time are sold at auctions, like the present one. Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers has sold some of these, most recently “Nøgen Dreng, set fra højre Side i Løb paa Sandet ud mod Vandet” (Naked boy running on the beach towards the sea) which fetched a price of 1.000.000 DKK at BR auction 815, 2009 no. 15. The studies in the Catalogue Raisonné are almost all studies of details, focusing on special parts of the final composition, like for instance a running boy. The present work is different, being a more complete and balanced scene with the many boys playing in the sun. Besides, the painting has the unparalleled qualities that you expect from a good work by Krøyer: It is a motif from Skagen with the sun and the sea, the light is breathtaking, almost blinding, his beautiful bluish colour scale is used and in total it is an eminent evocation of a moment, catching the boy's movements here and now in the glinting whirling water. Unsurprisingly, some of the studies can be seen at Danish museums, such as Skagens Museum, Den Hirschsprungske Samling and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.
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 & drawings, 4 June 2013