Literature: Frithiof Brandt: “Robert Storm Petersen - Malerier og tegninger”, Carit Andersens Forlag, Copenhagen, 1951, p. 391 Exhibited: Den Frie Udstilling, Copenhagen, 1942. Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist thence by descent in the family.

“Kunst er det, man ikke kan. Hvis man kunne, var det jo ingen kunst” (Art is what you cannot do. If you could, it wouldn’t be art)

Robert Storm Pedersen, humanist, entertainer, painter, cartoonist and, like a cat, very much his own master. Better known as Storm P, his satirical manner is a piece of Danish national heritage that resonates across generations and shows the unifying force of humour across time, space and place. Storm P managed like no other to combine a light-hearted, unspoiled life philosophy with sharp social criticism, which means that both his satirical cartoons and many memorable quotes are still relevant today. Storm P was just 16 years old when he took his first tentative steps onto the winding paths of painting. He was never interested in a direct representation of reality but blazed his own path from the start. When he applied to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, the rejection letter from architect Thorvald Bindesbøll read: “Unge ven, hvis De lærer noget, mister De Deres talent!” (Young friend, if you learn something, you will lose your talent!) (Dr. Phil. Frithiof Brandt (ed.): “Robert Storm Pedersen - Malerier og tegninger”, p. 4). Storm P thus occupies a completely unique position in Danish art history from the outset, as a brilliant amateur with immense colouristic and dramaturgical insight. There’s no denying the inspiration from Edvard Munch, Die Brücke and Toulouse-Lautrec, among others, but at the same time, Storm P listened to his own strong artistic voice and stayed true to his own knowledge and world view. The dream of the stage pursued Storm P throughout his life. The young artist not only felt at home among vagabonds, but also on the stage of the Dagmar Theatre and subsequently behind the scenes. The variety show, with its quirky artistic souls, oddballs and eccentrics, was particularly close to his heart. He loved the dusty atmosphere, the blinding spotlights, the smoke, the chaos and the rhythmic noise of the orchestra – the voluptuous ladies, strong men, jugglers and line dancers – as an expression of life being a stage where anything can happen.

The two paths of Storm P’s life – those of the stage and the visual arts – often cross one another, and in 1905, he painted the circus dressing room, a motif that followed him throughout his career and one he often revisited. “Bag Manegen” (Behind the circus ring) is from 1942, and in this version of the motif, painted during the German occupation of Denmark, the ageing artist appears as a red-nosed focal point in the picture, sporting a bashful smile, with a small dog by his side. Standing around him are the other members of the troupe: the white-faced Pierrot, the strong man in the background and the sturdy women in their tight, green leotards. It is not the magical glow of the stage and the performing artists with their feigned gaiety that is portrayed here, but the dropping of the mask after the performance, characterised by melancholy and reflection. Streaming in from behind the deep blue stage curtain is a bright yellow light, creating a contrast that explores the boundary between light and shadow, dream and reality. Here, the clown – the artist Storm P – is a figure who embraces the duality of life; a tragicomic figure who points out the absurdities of life through comedy.

We often see Storm P’s caricatures and illustrations at our auctions, but it is extremely rare for us to have the pleasure of selling his paintings. So – Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests – please give them a warm welcome!