Jens Juel (b. Balslev, Funen 1745, d. Copenhagen 1802)
Princess Louise Augusta (1771–1845) in Turkish costume. Full-length en face in an interior. In yellow silk dress, blue velvet coat lined with ermine. She sits at a table, on which are flowers on a Smyrna carpet, in her hand a mask. In the background red drapery and a column. Unsigned. Oil on canvas. 45×33 cm.
Ellen Poulsen, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of Jens Juel, 1991, no. 383, ill. vol. 2 p. 234.
The charming portrait of Princess Louise Augusta was in great demand and Jens Juel has repeated the motif several times. This is the first of several repetitions by the artist's own hand of the Princess in Turkish dress.
At Bruun Rasmussen auction 409 (Neye), 1980 no. 4, a repetition was sold for DKK 40,000 and purchased by the Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum. At Bruun Rasmussen auction 846, 2014 no. 12, a repetition of the portrait was sold for DKK 165,000 to Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr. in New York. At Bruun Rasmussen auction 850, 2014 no. 26, a repetition was sold for DKK 100,000 to the Museum at Sønderborg Castle. Similarly, a repetition was sold at Bruun Rasmussen auction 896, 2020 no. 12 for DKK 120,000 to the David Collection.
Here is a rare opportunity to acquire this charming work, the last in private ownership and the first Jens Juel painted of Louise Augusta in Turkish dress.
Exhibited: Kunst- og Industriudstillingen 1879 no. 1070. Industriforeningen, “Udstillingen af Gjenstande fra Kong Fr. VI's Tid”, 1890 no. 18. Fyns Stiftsmuseum Odense, “Jens Juel - Jubilæumsudstilling”, 1960 no. 75. Kunstforeningen, “Jens Juel i Privateje”, 1982 no. 42.
Provenance: Purchased at N. Holten and another art collector's (Princess Juliane Sophie, died in 1850) auction on February 12, 1851 by Chamberlain Wolffhagen. Director Henry Tuxen (1960).
At the end of the 18th century, it was the highest of fashion to dress up in Turkish or oriental costumes for masquerades. The costume was called a circassienne and the actress Madame Preisler (1761–1797) wore this costume in the role of Roxelane in the play “Soliman the Second”.
Jens Juel is currently represented at the exhibition “Jens Juel - Under huden” at Fuglsang Kunstmuseum (September 2025 - January 2026).
Condition report available on request
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.