Description:
Wenzel Ulrik Tornøe (Danish, 1844-1907) A Very Fine and Large Oil on Canvas Titled "Systue" ("The Sewing Room"). The finely executed artwork depicting the interior scene of a 19th century sewing room, with eight dressmakers taking their lunch break; one maiden is opening a bottle of wine while another is holding a glass ready for the pour, the seated center one holding a cup of tea with a semi-wrapped sandwich, one leaning against the back wall, another resting with her elbow on a table and the other three standing maidens in the back viewing a catalogue/magazine page. Tornøe's capture of the expressions of exhaustion on the young seamstress’ faces, as well as the detailed background and the efficacy of painting the transparent glass on they young girl’s hand, are all truly exceptional, making this artwork probably one of Tornø’s best paintings. Signed and dated: Wenzel Tornøe, 1885. Circa: Denmark, 1885.
Exhibited: Charlottenborg 1885 no. 404.
Note: A label on the back of the frame reads: "C.H.T. Wøckow - Konservator - Overgade 8 - Odense - 1962".
Canvas Height: 35 1/2 inches (90.2 cm)
Canvas Width: 42 1/4 inches (107.3 cm)
Frame Height: 44 3/4 inches (113.7 cm)
Frame Width: 51 3/4 inches (131.5 cm)
Frame Depth: 4 inches (10.2 cm)
Ref.: A2676 - Lot 11456
Wenzel Ulrik Tornøe (1844-1907) was born on September 9, 1844 in Svendborg Denmark, he was the son of Jens Wenzel Tornøe and Eleonore Jacobine Lacoppidan. On July 18th 1876 he married the artist Karen Elisabeth Blumer, daughter of the grocer Samuel Blumer and Bolette Marie Abigael Wendelboe. Tornøe is perhaps one of the most well known exhibited Charlottenborg Palace artists of that period. He was known for his poignant and anecdotal portraiture and genre pieces. Having studied under Carl H. Bloch (whose is considered the finest religious, genre and historical painter of his time), Tornøe surpassed many his peers in skill, technique and style. His works have sold at many prestigious auction houses and museums around the world, many other works by Tornøe adorn the walls of private collections, museums, and European castles.
Education:
1860-1865 - Royal Danish Academy of Art
1871-1873 - Studied in Rome
1878-1879 - Holland, Belgium, Paris and Italy
1886-87 - Studied in Rome
Travels:
1871-73 - Rome
1878-79 - Holland, Belgium, Paris and Northern Italy
1886-87 - Rome
Exhibits:
1865-1997 - Charlottenborg Palace, DK
1882, 1942 - National Art Association Exhibit
1883, 1888 - Nordic Exhibit
1895 - Nordic Art Exhibit in Lubeck
1893 - World Exhibit in Chicago
1901 - Town Hall Exhibit in Copenhagen
1980 - Randers Art Museum Exhibit
1980’s - “in memory of…” National Art Exhibition
Awards:
1864 - Awarded silver medal at the Royal Danish Academy of Art
1902 - Serdin Hansens Prize
Museums:
Statens Museum for Kunst - Copenhagen, Denmark - "At the China Repairer's" - Circa: 1891
Condition Report:
Overall in fine stable condition with vibrant colors. Original canvas. Two minor repairs/patches on the reverse (see photo). A few small holes in the canvas at the lower left corner and upper right corner (see photos). A few small insignificant peelings, primarily at the llower and the left edge. Areas with thinner paint layer. Minor crackles & retouches here and there. A light surface cleaning and a tightening of the canvas is recommended.
Note 2: The artist is also known as Wenzel Tornoe.
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