Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (1783-1853) Attributed to - Portrait

Portrait of Lars Mathiesen (1769–1852), distiller and tavern keeper. From 1804 he ran a tavern in Frederiksberg in the property Haabet in Allégade, which he kept for approximately fifty years. The establishment was visited by people from many social backgrounds and was especially frequented by students and writers.

Oil on canvas. Condition: light surface dirt and scattered retouches consistent with age.

The painting is in style with the Danish Golden Age.

On the reverse there are several inscriptions, including a signature together with additional handwritten notes. The small paper label is now attached to the stretcher, and is now partly damaged, but remains largely readable. It reads “Prof. C. V. Eckersberg” and states that the painting was sold at the professor’s auction, referring to the auction catalogue following Eckersberg’s death in 1854, where the work is indicated as catalogue number 104.

Approximate translation of the Danish text:
“Prof. C. V. Eckersberg. Portrait of the wine merchant/tavern keeper Lars Mathisen from Lars Mathisen Minde in Frederiksberg. The painting is sold at Eckersberg Auction, Catalog nr 104".

The inscriptions on the reverse correspond to notations found on other works associated with Eckersberg, including paintings preserved at the Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) in Copenhagen, although there is no absolute documentary proof confirming the authorship with complete certainty and therefore the buyer is aware of carrying the risk.

The painting was made around 1820-1830, it is sold unframed.

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