769/​185

Johannes S. Kjarval (b. Efri-Ey 1885, d. Reykjavik 1972)

“Hvitasunnudagr”, approx. 1917–19. Signed J.S. Kjarval. Oil and goldpaint on canvas. 100×113 cm.

Exhibited: “Kjarval Udstilling”, Den Frie Udstilling, Copenhagen, January 1919, no. 4. Exhibited: “Islenska Syningin á Charlottenborg”, Copenhagen, December 1927, no 153, titled “Pinsemorgen. Udkast til Vægtæppe” (sticker on the reverse). Provenance: Merchant Nienstedt's Collection. Gift directly from the artist. Inscription on the stretcher: “Hjertelige lykønskninger til Hr. og Fru Nienstedt paa Sølvbryllupsdagen i Mai 1919. Joh. Kjarval (utydelig signatur)”. Literature: Einar Matthíasson, Kristín G. Gudnadóttir et al: “Kjarval”, Nesútgáfan Publishing, Reykjavík, 2005, p. 112–13, 599, 602.

In the recent, extensive book on Kjarval's art (Nesútgáfan Publishing, Reykjavík, 2005) an unknown cubist painting - “Whitsun Morning” - is described. It was exhibited at Den Frie Udstilling in 1919 and at Charlottenborg in 1927. The reproductions in the book of the sketches for the work and an exhibition sticker on the reverse of the painting confirm, that this is in fact the “missing” work. In a letter, written January 1917 to his friend Einar Jónsson, Kjarval tells that he has painted three pictures using gold, and that he considers enlarging one of them to one meter - an information which is also consistent with this painting. In this period Kjarval was very preoccupied with cubism - carried out by the Danish colleagues Jais Nielsen, Olaf Rude and William Scharff.

The painting has been with the present owner's family since 1919 and has not previously been offered for sale. Kjarval stayed with the present owner's family while studying at The Royal Danish Academy of Art.

This lot is subject to Artist's Royalty.
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

Selected art, 27 February 2007

Category
Estimate

100,000–150,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

1,300,000 DKK