Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg Sold at Auction Prices

Painter, Etcher, b. 1783 - d. 1853

(b Denmark, 1783; d July 1853) Danish Painter. Christopher Wilhelm Eckersberg has been called the father of Danish painting, for it was he who tied together the diverse strands of Danish and foreign artistic traditions. Eckersberg began his studies with Nikolaj Abraham Abildgaard in Copenhagen. In 1810 the artist relocated to Paris to study under Jacques-Louis David, who taught him 'to paint after Nature and the Antique in order to find Truth’. During his stay in Rome, from 1813 to 1816, Eckersberg created paintings depicting Roman views that are among the most treasured works of Danish art. His work founded the basis of Danish painting for the next three decades, the so-called Golden Age of Danish Painting. With their firm composition and precisely observed details they defined the artistic principles that Eckersberg's pupils at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen would follow in subsequent years.* Eckersberg returned to Copenhagen in 1816, combining the technical lessons he had learned in France and Italy with Danish subject matter: portraits of local dignitaries and scenes of maritime life.** Becoming a member of the Royal Academy in 1817, Eckersberg was appointed as a professor at the school of painting in 1818, a position which he held until his death.*** In later years, Eckersberg’s eyesight declined tremendously, hindering his ability to paint. In July of 1853, the artist died of cholera in Copenhagen. (Credit: *Sotheby’s, London, 19th Century European Paintings, November 15, 2006, Lot 259; **Christie’s, London, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist, June 27, 2000, Lot 116; ***Christie’s, London, 19th Century European, March 30, 2001, Lot 9)