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Wenzel Tornøe
A Very Fine Danish 19th Century Oil on Canvas "The Sewing Room" (Systue)

Circa: Denmark, 1885

$124,500
£94,676.76
€109,205.05
CA$174,401.72
A$195,189.98
CHF 101,919.63
MX$2,381,329.18
NOK 1,293,736.02
SEK 1,227,675.83
DKK 815,491.68
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About the Item

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 of a sewing room with eight dressmakers taking their lunch break; one opening a bottle of wine, another holding a glass ready for the pour, the seated center one holding a cup of tea with a semi-wrapped biscuit, one leaning against the back wall, another resting by a table and the other standing three maidens sharing catalogue page. Tornøe capture of the face expressions of exhaustion on the young seamstress’, as well as the details in the background and the efficacy of painting the transparent glass on they young girl’s hand are all truly exceptional, making this painting probably one of Tornø’s best artworks. Signed and dated: Wenzel Tornøe, 1885. Circa: Denmark, 1885. Exhibited: Charlottenborg 1885 no. 404. 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 around the world, including Sotheby’s, Christie's and many other works 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 Wenzel Ulrik Tornøe (1844-1907) Artworks in Museums: Statens Museum for Kunst - Copenhagen, Denmark - "At the China Repairer's" - Circa: 1891. Randers Museum of Art - Randers, Denmark - "Syerske Pinsemorgen" (Sewing Pentecost morning) - Circa: 1882. 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) Notes: A truly stunning artwork in overall fine stable condition with some age craquelure. Original canvas with vibrant colors and fine attention to detail. See report on repairs and view all images. Frame in good condition with some restorations.
  • Creator:
    Wenzel Tornøe (1844 - 1907, Danish)
  • Creation Year:
    Circa: Denmark, 1885
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 44.75 in (113.67 cm)Width: 51.75 in (131.45 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Two minor repairs/patches on reverse (see photo). A few small holes in the canvas at the lower left corner & upper right corner (see photo ). Few small insignificant peelings, primarily at the lower & the left edge. Areas thin paint layer, retouches.
  • Gallery Location:
    LA, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Ref.: A2676 - Lot 114561stDibs: LU2755214600492

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