N. A. Abildgaard (b. Copenhagen 1743, d. Frederiksdal 1809)
Alexander's messenger at the Persian philosopher. Unsigned. Inscribed on the reverse Abildgaard. Oil on canvas. 55×68 cm.
Exhibited: “Raadhusudstillingen af Dansk Kunst til 1890”, 1901 no. 26.
Kunstforeningen, “Fortegnelse over N. A. Abildgaards Arbejder”, 1916 no. 57.
Literature: Patrick Kragelund, “Abildgaard. Kunstneren mellem oprørerne”, 1999, mentioned vol. II, pp. 611–612.
Provenance: Mrs Iversen (1901). Doctor of Medicine Tage Iversen (1916). Kunsthallen auction 334, 1980 no. 1.
This painting is a repetition of a painting at ARoS (Aarhus Art Museum, inv. no. 595). A drawing/sketch with the same motif is at the National Gallery of Denmark (inv. no. KKSgb3671).
The painting at ARoS has had different titles (in Danish): “Alexander sends his emissaries to the Persian king [actually a philosopher]. From him, they receive this answer: ”Tell Alexander that I'm too old to fear him“, (commemorative exhibition at Charlottenborg, 1809, no. 39). And ”A Persian philosopher magnanimously rejects the offers Alexander the Great presents to him through his emissaries." (commemorative exhibition in Copenhagen, 1817, no. 35).
Abildgaard has depicted the history of Alexander the Great in several paintings.
Condition report on request. Contact fine-art@bruun-rasmussen.dk
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, 27 November 2018