The drawing is done after a painting (cat.no. 3), which was purchased by Kunstforeningen (The Danish Art Society) to be disposed of in a lottery among members. The painting went to Commissioner of War J. C. Fick (1788–1864), who was also an auction director and co-founder of Kunstforeningen in 1825.

Kunstforeningen had decided that (in Danish): “... the artists, who sold their work to Kunstforeningen, were obliged to carry out a drawing or etching of this work by their own hand, which laid the foundation of the great collection of Danish artists' original drawings at Kunstforeningen ....” (Kunstforeningen 1864, p. 9). This collection of drawings was sold at auction in 1933.

It is very rarely seen, as in this case, that both the painting and the drawing from two different owners are joined together and sold at the same auction.

Literature: Julie Eckersberg: “Optegnelser om C. W. Eckersberg”, København 1917, reproduced p. 43. Julie Eckersberg writes about her father's favourite students, whom Müller was one of (in Danish): “When Father was still a young man, it was his greatest pleasure to spend time with his pupils, with whom he had the best relations. However, it was probably Købke, Rørbye, Küchler, Adam Müller, who were dearest to his heart....”, p. 35.

Jan Zahle, “Antiksalen - Figursalen - Museet”, in “Spejlinger i Gips”, 2004, cat. no. 05b, mentioned and reproduced p. 103–106, see cat. no. 3 for further description.

Provenance: “Kunstforeningens Samling af Haandtegninger”, Winkel & Magnussen auction 142, 1933 no. 649 (two drawings) or 650 (six drawings). Purchased by wholesaler Julius Just, his auction Winkel & Magnussen 223, 1937 no. 127. Purchased by archaeologist and assistant curator at Oldnordisk museum (Museum of Northern Antiquities) Carl Neergaard.