921/​116

Carl Bloch (b. Copenhagen 1834, d. s.p. 1890)

Portrait of Lars Hansen (1813–1872). Signed C. Bl. Sepia, wash and watercolour on paper. Sheet size 30×20 cm. Unframed.

Exhibited: The Nivaagaard Collection, “Venskabsportrætter fra Rom”, 2016, Cat. No. 6, mentioned p. 22, ill. p. 23. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, “Lasting Impressions: Etchings and Drawings by Carl Bloch”, 2018.

Provenance: Circolo Scandinavo / Skandinavisk Forening i Rom (Inv. No. A II 2).

The author Vilhelm Bergsøe (1835–1911) included the painter Lars Hansen as a character in “Fra Piazza del Popolo” (1861), a famous Danish novel depicting life among a group of Scandinavians in 19th-century Rome. In his accounts from Rome art historian Frederik Knudtzon (1843–1917) portrays “Gamle Hansen” (old Hansen) as a friendly person, albeit with his quirks. The artist felt persecuted and believed that the world consisted of two types of people: “the Bucks” and “the Sheep”. Unfortunately, Hansen himself belonged to the flock of sheep, subjected to the power and inconsiderate behavior of the bucks. The outspoken Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906), on the other hand, was perceived as one of the leading bucks of the artist colony. However, this did not prevent the Danish painter and Norwegian playwright from forming a close friendship while Hansen served as secretary and librarian of Skandinavisk Forening and Ibsen sat on its board.

Additional Remarks

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.

Auction

Fine art, 10 June 2024

Category
Estimate

20,000–25,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

14,000 DKK