C. A. Lorentzen, ascribed to (b. Sønderborg 1746, d. Copenhagen 1828)
Portrait of Landgrave Carl of Hesse-Kassel (1744–1836) in a red general's uniform with gold embroidery, white necktie and lace frill, powdered wig and black neck bow. He wears the blue ribbon and star of the Order of the Elephant, the breast star of the Hessian Golden Lion and around his neck the Hessian Military Order of Merit. Unsigned. Oil on canvas laid on panel. Oval. 70×55 cm.
Landgrave Carl of Hesse-Kassel (1744–1836) grew up at the Danish court with King Frederik V of Denmark and in 1766 married the King's daughter, Princess Louise of Denmark (1750–1831). Landgravine Louise was very close to her brother, King Christian VII of Denmark, who also gave the bride and groom a fine silver service (see this online auction, cat. no. 8002 and 8142). In 1767, the Landgrave was appointed by the King as commanding general and governor in the then Danish duchies of Schleswig-Holstein. They were given a winter residence at Gottorp Castle and a summer residence at the country estate Louisenlund. It was a very happy marriage and with several children, including Princess Juliane, abbess of Itzehoe Noble Monstary, Princess Marie, married to King Frederik VI of Denmark, and Princess Louise, married to Duke Wilhelm of Glücksburg. The latter couple became parents to, among others, Duke Carl of Glücksburg, Duke Friedrich of Glücksburg, Prince Hans of Glücksburg, Duchess Friederike of Anhalt-Bernburg and King Christian IX of Denmark. Since Landgravine Louise was of the Danish, Oldenburg royal house, and Duchess Louise was the mother of the first king of the Glücksborg hosue, the Landgrave couple can be described as the incarnation between the Oldenburg and Glücksborg royal families. The Landgrave couple managed to create a beautiful family life and, for example, let their daughter and son-in-law, Duke Wilhelm and Duchess Louise of Glücksburg live at both Gottorp Castle and Louisenlund, until in 1825–200 years ago this year - they were given Glücksborg Castle with the accompanying title. Thus, King Christian IX also had two interior pictures in watercolour with motifs from Louisenlund hanging at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. The Landgravine died at the age of over eighty and the Landgrave at the age of over 90. He had then performed his duties in Schleswig-Holstein for more than 60 years. The couple thus became not only an incarnation, but also a historical institution and a faithful support in the borderland of the duchies in relation to the Danish kingdom.
C. A. Lorentzen has painted more portraits in the same painting style and technique.
Illustrated: Oswald Hauser, Waltraud Hunke, Wolfgang J. Müller, “Das Haus Glücksburg und Europa”, Kiel 1988, p. 33. Here with the text: “Landgraf Carl von Hessen-Kassel. (Ende 18. Jh.); Glücksburg Schloss, Kavalierhaus”.
Provenance: ”The Historical Collection of Four Princesses From the Cavalier House of Glücksburg Castle”. The cultural heritage after the sisters, Her Highness Princess Elisabeth of Ysenburg and Büdingen, née Princess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (1945–2024), Her Highness Princess Irene of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (b. 1946), Her Highness Princess Margaretha of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (b. 1948), and Her Highness Princess Sibylla Ursula of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (b. 1955). Online auction no. 2545 at Bruun Rasmussen Arts Auctioneers in Lyngby, 3 November, 2025.
The canvas is mounted on wooden board. Small crackles with retouches. See UV-light-photographs for more information.
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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