Martinus Rørbye (b. Drammen 1803, d. Copenhagen 1848)
“Den læsende Abate”. Young clergyman reading. Signed and dated MR Subiaco 1836. Oil on canvas. 39×28 cm.
Thorvaldsens Museum, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of Martinus Rørbye no. 139.
Exhibited: Charlottenborg 1836 no. 59 with the title “En ung, catholsk Geistlig” (A young Catholic clergyman).
Provenance: ABR auction 716, 2002, n0. 1153, sold for 1.200.000 DKK.
This is the very first version of this charming and popular motif by Rørbye, who actually repeated it four times.
The painting was finished during Rørbye's second visit to Subiaco in 1836. These young clergymen were a popular motif for the Danish Golden Age painters. Among others, Ernst Meyer and Albert Küchler painted them and very often had a more ironical approach in their representation. Here Martinus Rørbye depicts a young man absorbed in reading in a sympathetic way and with empathy.
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.
Selected art, 28 November 2011