Vilhelm Hammershøi (b. Copenhagen 1864, d. s.p. 1916)
“Portræt-Hovede. Naturlig Størrelse”. Portrait head, natural size of Mrs Vilhelmine Bramsen (1850–1932) on black background, dressed in a grey dress with a large white collar. Signed and dated on a label on the reverse: “Fru Bramsen malt i Stormgade 1889. V. Hammershøi” (Mrs Bramsen painted in Stormgade 1889. V. Hammershøi). Oil on canvas laid on canvas. 40×32 cm.
Sophus Michaëlis and Alfred Bramsen, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of Vilhelm Hammershøi no. 77.
The painting is a study for no. 76 in the Catalogue Raisonné, a half-lenght portrait of Vilhelmine Bramsen, which was the artist's first commissioned portrait. Vilhelmine Bramsen was married to Alfred Bramsen in 1874. Alfred Bramsen was a dentist and an art collector, who very early on became aware of Hammershøi's talent and became his patron and protector. After Hammershøi's death, Bramsen worked out the Catalogue Raisonné of his works. Alfred Bramsen was not only the most important patron of Hammershøi, he and Vilhelmine were also very close friends with Ida and Vilhelm.
Literature: Poul Vad, “Hammershøi - Værk og liv”, 2003, reproduced p. 93.
Provenance: Alfred Bramsen's collection (1918).
Condition report 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.
Paintings, 1 March 2016