Portraiture from the 19th century

The making of an artist

One piece up for auction is a self-portrait of the bright, 16-year-old artist in the making portrayed wearing his artist jacket and white shirt à la lord Byron. He is looking out at the world with curious, wide-open eyes, and appears very sure of himself. The result is indeed quite impressive by such a young artist, who had only just started his artistic career. At the time, Jørgen Roed’s teacher was portrait painter Hans Hansen, and he is an obvious influence in this portrait. Meeting Hansen’s son Constantin Hansen turned out to be of huge significance to Roed. The two young artists struck up a close friendship, and together they explored world literature, opera, participated in cultural events and travelled together through Italy.

Up close and personal

Another portrait depicts Ole Greisen with his back towards the artist. He worked for the Roed family in Ringsted for more than 50 years. This is most likely an early piece too, during a time when the artist was able to have his model close by, i.e. at home on his father’s farm. In this portrait, Roed has meticulously sculpted the chevelure, and one can make out a hardworking man with deep lines around his eyes.

The daughter at the piano

The last portrait was created as late as 1871 and depicts the artist’s daughter, the Swedish-Danish writer Helena Nyblom (1843-1926). She is shown wearing a beautiful, deep blue dress against a grass green wall, and he has caught her deeply concentrated at the piano. 

Auction and preview

The online auction will start to close at 8 pm on Monday 11 August. The preview will take place from Monday 4 August and until the day of the auction at Sundkrogsgade 30 within the area of Nordhavn in Copenhagen.

View all three portraits
View all lots on offer

Invitation to consign

We are always looking for items within the area of fine art and drawings for our weekly online auctions. The next international auction in Bredgade takes place in September, and the closing date for consignments for this auction is Monday 11 August. So stop by this summer – we are open daily for valuations and consignments.