Inside the fisherman’s cabin

Norwegian painter Christian Krohg (1852-1925) was a significant figure of the art world as well as a critic of society voicing his strong points of view. He was particularly preoccupied with the socially inferior members of society as well as with everyday life, which he portrayed with great empathy in his portraits, chosen social motifs, his Skagen paintings and in his portrayals of seafarers. His life’s work is considered to be a key component of Norway’s national treasure. 

Jurist and artist

Christian Krohg played a significant role in the Modern Breakthrough, which defined Nordic art in the 1880ies. He originally studied law, but shortly after he graduated in 1873, he travelled to Germany, where he became an apprentice to the genre painter Carl Gussow. During his stay, he met Max Klinger and Georg Brandes, who influenced the views of the conservative Krohg in a more radical direction. First, he acquired the philosophy of naturalism and realism, and was then later inspired by impressionism during a stay in Paris (1881-82).

In 1879, together with Frits Thaulow, Krogh visited the artists’ colony in Skagen for the first time, and returned the following ten summers. Getting to know Holger Drachmann, Karl Madsen, Anna Brøndum (Ancher) and Michael Ancher among others turned out to be epoch-making for him as an artist, and was of great significance to the development of Scandinavian painting.

The breakthrough in Skagen

Krogh made his artistic breakthrough during his first summer in Skagen with the two paintings "Garnbinderen" (The yarn spinner) and "Let Bagbord" (Port side). The first few paintings of the life of the fishermen and their families are without any flattering features, odd in their choice of perspective and moderate with regards to colour with a preference for greys, whites and some authentic colours.

The painting up for auction is that of a fisherman studying a nautical chart in his cabin, and is a perfect example of Krohg’s particular technique and artistic talent. The broad-shouldered, bearded fisherman has been situated right at the front, and the slanted table has been pulled so far forward into the room that is almost disappears out of the picture. Characteristic is the use of a light colour scheme, the slanting perspective and the close cropping, which draws the beholder right into the fisherman’s cabin.

Preview and auction

Christian Krohg’s exquisite painting of the fisherman in his cabin will be up for sale at this autumn’s international auction in Bredgade mid-September and is estimated at DKK 150,000-200,000.