2431/​8015

C. A. Kølle (b. Strandby 1827, d. Copenhagen 1872)

Portrait of Philip Weilbach (1834–1900). Signed and dated C. A. Kølle den 8. Marts 1862. Pencil on paper. 29×19 cm. Unframed.

Exhibited: The Nivaagaard Collection, “Venskabsportrætter fra Rom”, 2016, Cat. No. 29, mentioned p. 50, ill. p. 49.

Provenance: Circolo Scandinavo / The Scandinavian Association in Rome (Inv. No. A II 10).

Claus Anton Kølle began his artistic career as an apprentice decorative painter. He was subsequently admitted to The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he continued his studies. During his time at the Academy in Copenhagen, he also temporarily experimented with both figure painting and landscape painting. He exhibited several portrait and figure paintings, but landscape painting ultimately became his preferred motif. This proved to be the right choice, and in 1860, he was awarded a two-year travel scholarship from the Academy for his work.

Kølle set off the same year he received the scholarship, spending the majority of the two years in Rome and its surroundings areas. In the present portrait, Kølle has depicted the Danish art historian Philip Weilbach. Weilbach arrived in Rome in 1860 and worked during his two years in the city as secretary for the Scandinavian Association, where he likely met C. A. Kølle, who was also in Rome during the same period.

From 1883 until his death, Weilbach worked as a librarian and secretary at the Academy in Copenhagen. Simultaneously, Weilbach gathered extensive material on Danish artists, which culminated in Weilbachs Arkiv (Weilbach's Archive), that later formed the foundation for the Danish artist lexicon still named after him today, known as Weilbachs Kunstnerleksikon (Weilbach's Artist Lexicon).

Condition

The paper has turned slightly yellow. Discolouration in the upper left corner. Leftovers of yellow varnish.

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

Art on paper, 29 July 2024

Category
Estimate

8,000–10,000 DKK

Price realised

Not sold