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C. W. Eckersberg (b. Blåkrog near Aabenraa 1783, d. Copenhagen 1853)

The story of a fallen girl, Part II, The lover flees through the window. 1808. Oil on canvas. 34×28 cm.

The tragic story is told by Philip Weilback, “Maleren Eckersbergs Levned og Værker”, Copenhagen 1872, p. 18. The series depicting the destiny of a young woman and executed in 1808 consists of four small paintings, which are all engraved by G. L. Lahde and by C. F. Clemens. Eckersberg’s first biographer, Philip Weilbach, as well as the etcher Lahde numbered the present scene as no. I. Emil Hannover however stated his opinion on moral reasons and numbered this scene as no. II in 1898.

Traditionally, Eckersberg’s four paintings telling the story of a fallen girl refer to “A Harlot’s Progress” a series of prints executed by William Hogarth in 1732. He also worked in the tradition of Jean-Baptiste Greuze.

I: The Mother negotiates with a Gentleman on the Girl’s behalf (Hamburger Kunsthalle, inv. no. HK-5695).

II: The Lover flees through the Window.

III: In a poor attic, the Girl does her make-up before leaving for a masked ball. (Private collection).

IV: The former Beauty is begging by the Harbour, her old lover walks by but he does not recognize her (Private collection).

All of the above reproduced p. 32.

Emil Hannover, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of C. W. Eckersberg no. 22.

Exhibited: Kunstforeningen, “C. W. Eckersberg-udstillingen”, 1895, no. 22.

Hamburger Kunsthalle, “Eckersberg Faszination Wirklichkeit. Das Goldene Zeitalter der dänischen Malerei,” Hamburg 2016.

Paris, Fondation Custodia/Collection Frits Lugt: “C. W. Eckersberg 1783–1853 Artiste Danois à Paris, Rome & Copenhague”, 2016 no. 5.

Literature: Emil Hannover, “C. W. Eckersberg”, Copenhagen 1898, p. 318, no. 43. Marianne Saabye, “Aspekter af C. W. Eckersbergs ungdomsår i København 1803–10”, in “På klassisk grund. Tilegnet (dedicated to) Dyveke Helsted. Meddelelser fra Thorvaldsens Museum”, 1989, pp. 222–3.

Peter Michael Hornung and Kaspar Monrad, “C. W. Eckersberg-dansk malerkunsts fader”, Copenhagen 2005, reproduced p. 52.

“C. W. Eckersberg 1783–1853 Artiste Danois à Paris, Rome & Copenhague”, (exhibition catalogue, Paris 2016), mentioned p. 124 and reproduced p. 125.

Provenance: Lieutenant Mathiesen, Copenhagen (Mathiesen owned the whole series of four paintings). J. B. Sandberg, (acquired directly from Mathiesen together with the three other paintings of the series). The Sandberg Auction, March 1871, Copenhagen. Here acquired by Alfred Meyer (this painting only). Mrs. Councillor Heyman. Her sale, April 1917, cat. no. 88. Falk Simon, Sweden. Private collection, Copenhagen.

Condition

Condition report on request. Please contact: fine-art@bruun-rasmussen.dk

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

Paintings and drawings, 26 November 2019

Category
Estimate

300,000–400,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

275,000 DKK