Wilhelm Freddie (b. Copenhagen 1909, d. s.p. 1995)
“Kødet som æder sig selv” (The flesh that eats itself). Signed Freddie 35. Oil on canvas. 31.5×27 cm.
Exhibited: Kunstforeningen for Kolding og Omegns Foraarsudstilling, Koldinghus, Kolding, 1935, no catalogue. Exhibited: “Maleren Freddies Udstilling”; Sixtus Thomsen, Kunstsalen, Vesterbro, Aalborg, 1935, cat. no. 25. Exhibited :“Dansk kunst gennem 25 år”, “Dansk Kunststævne”, Fyens Forum, Odense, 1936, cat. no. 121. Exhibited: “træk gaflen ud af øjet paa sommerfuglen. Sex-surreal”, Ole Haslunds Hus, Copenhagen, 1937, cat. no. 9. Exhibited: “Surrealisme”, Raadhuspladsens Udstillingssal, Copenhagen, 1940 , cat. no. 34. Exhibited: “FREDDIE SURREALISME”, Ovenlyssalen, Aarhus, 1941, cat. no. 19. Exhibited: “FREDDIE SURREALISME”, Vestergade 69, Odense, 1941, cat. no. 19. Exhibited: “Steen Coldings samling”, Kunstforeningen, Copenhagen, 1972, cat. no. 18.
Provenance: Steen Colding (1900–1970), Copenhagen (re: the exhibition catalogue from 1936). Later on Steen Colding was the author to several articles and books on Wilhelm Freddie. Provenance: Bruun Rasmussen Kunstauktioner, auction 102, Copenhagen, 1982, cat. no. 444. Provenance: Jeweler Peter Vang (1943–2010), Copenhagen. Acquired at the above mention auction and since by decent in the family.
The references to exhibitions and provenance have kindly been provided by Mr Birger Raben-Skov, Copenhagen.
Like all 38 works at the legendary “træk gaflen ud af øjet paa sommerfuglen” (pull the fork out of the butterfly's eye) exhibition in 1937, the present painting was seized by the police, but it was not among the six works that were subsequently used to prosecute Freddie and sentence the artist to 10 days in prison. Three of these six works were confiscated and placed at the Danish Police Museum, where they remained until 1963 after a renewed trial against Freddie.
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, sculptures and prints, 10 March 2021