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C. W. Eckersberg (b. Blåkrog near Aabenraa 1783, d. Copenhagen 1853)
Purchased by Øregaard Museum in September 2022.
“Papirius and his mother”. Unsigned. Oil on canvas. 36×28 cm.
The story of Papirius comes from the only known work by the Roman writer and grammarian Aulus Gellius (c. 125–180 AD), entitled Noctes Atticae (Attic Nights). Here, Eckersberg paints the defining moment when the young Papirius, after persistent interrogation from his mother, is forced to tell a lie in order to protect a confidential matter entrusted to him by the councillors in Rome.
Philip Weilbach, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of C. W. Eckersberg,1872 p. 234 under “VI. Genrebilleder, udførte 1817–1849”. Emil Hannover, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of C. W. Eckersberg, 1898 no. 137.
Exhibited: Kunstforeningen “Udstillingen af Eckersberg's Malerier”, 1895 no. 79. Århus Kunstmuseum “C. W. Eckersberg”, 1983, no. 37. Mentioned p. 9.
Literature: Philip Weilbach, “Maleren Eckersbergs Levned og Værker”, 1872. Mentioned p. 127 with notes no. 117. Henrik Bramsen “Eckersberg i Rom” i “Meddelelser fra Thorvaldsens Museum”, 1973 reproduced p.51, fig. 16.
The National Gallery of Denmark owns a drawing with a sketch of this painting done on the back of another drawing (“Sketch for Papirius and his mother”, National Gallery of Denmark, Inv. No. KKSgb4191).
Provenance: Mendel Levin Nathanson (1780–1868); his daughter Bella, married Trier; her son Ernst Trier; his daughter Gudrun Trier Mørch, hereafter sold c. 1918–1920: Hedvig Færch, her auction Kunsthallen, 1952, no. 42, reproduced in the catalogue. Hans Tobiesen's Collection, his auction Winkel & Magnussen II, 1954 no. 10. Bruun Rasmussen auction 273, 1927 no. 41, reproduced p. 11, here purchased by Ruth Trier Hermann. Thence by descent until now. Apart from a period of 50 years, Eckersberg's “Papirius and his mother” has been in the possession of the Nathanson family. Old photographs show the painting hanging on walls at Vallekilde and in 1910 at Slotsalleen in Slagelse at Gudrun and Eivind Mørch's home (see photo).
In his diary Eckersberg writes 3 March 1823 (in Danish): “Received from Mr. Nathanson for Papÿrius 45 Rdl”.
Of all the painters, writers, composers and actors supported by the mechant Mendel Levin Nathanson, it was C.W. Eckersberg who received the most. The patron was among those who at an early stage saw the young Eckersberg as the man of the future. Nathanson's commissions, the earliest from 1810, were crucial contributions to Eckersberg's modest finances during his stays in Paris and Rome. In addition to this, Nathanson provided a substantial loan when Eckersberg married and settled down. Eckerberg repaid the loan with a larger portrait of the daughters Bella and Hanna, a smaller portrait of Nathanson himself and the large group portrait “Det Nathansonske Familiebillede” - not only regarded among the major works at the National Gallery of Denmark (Inv. No. KMS1241) but also within the Danish Golden Age in general.
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.
Paintings, 16th - 20th century, 20 September 2022