905/​82

Bertha Wegmann (b. Soglio, Switzerland 1847, d. Copenhagen 1926)

View towards a street through an open window. Signed B. Wegmann. Oil on cardboard. 27.5×19.5 cm.

Addendum 27 November, 2021:

The view from the open window is probably seen from Women Readers’ Association's property on Gammel Mønt 1 in Copenhagen, with the building's characteristic small barred windows as they look to this day. It is probably Grønnegade that runs outside the window, and the chimney in the background is probably the electricity plant in Borgergade (now ‘Turbinehallerne’).

Sophie Alberti (1846–1947) was chairman of Women Readers’ Association from 1891 to 1921, and it was she who in 1910 had the building on Gammel Mønt built. Sophie Alberti was a good friend of Bertha Wegmann, who also portrayed Alberti. Wegmann has also on several occasions lived in Women Readers’ Association, which functioned as a ‘ladies hotel’, library, lecture hall, doctor's consultation, etc. for women. Other famous women have also lived in the association, including Nobel laureate Selma Lagerlöf when she visited Copenhagen.

Bruun Rasmussen has previously sold two works by Bertha Wegmann with provenance to Sophie Alberti and most likely from the same location at the on-line auction 2008 no. 227 and 2042 no. 1.

We thank dr. phil. Henrik Wivel for drawing our attention to the above.

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 & drawings, 30 November 2021

Category
Estimate

25,000–30,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

85,000 DKK