Vigilius Eriksen ( F.1722-1782.) Antique Oliemaleri fra 1771.

Vigilius Eriksen ( F.1722-1782.)

Antique Oliemaleri fra 1771. Depicting a time-typical lady at the clavichord.

Signed on the back. With the text “Belongs to Julie after my death 6/8 99” Eriksen was one of the greatest portrait painters of his time.

About the artist: “In Russia, where he stayed for a number of years (1757-1772), where he worked as imperial court painter and gained a reputation as one of the greatest artists of his time in his field. His main work was a portrait of Catherine 2. of Russia (Catherine the Great.) on horseback and in a guard uniform; he painted this princess numerous times in different sizes: on horseback, in full figure, bust, in miniature. A picture of her, full figure, is still in The Royal Painting Collection. He is also said to have painted several large historical paintings in Russia. In Petersburg, he acquired not only honor and fame, but also some wealth, with which he returned to Denmark in 1772.

Soon after his return to his homeland, he became royal court portrait painter and was assigned a residence at the palace in Kalveboderne. He was now quite busy for a number of years, painting several times Queen Juliane Marie and Crown Prince Frederick, in addition to portraits of various foreign and domestic dignitaries. In the collection at Rosenborg, there are a couple of works by him: a bust in pastel of Juliane Marie, a portrait of the art director Lorenz Spengler; a Caroline Mathilde with her son on her lap, which is also attributed to Eriksen.” Source: wiki.

Framed in a time-typical golden wood frame.

It is extremely rare worldwide for a Vigilius Eriksen painting to come up for sale.

As far as we can see, there has been an auction sale of a smaller Vigilius Eriksen oil painting portrait (23x20cm) of Catherine the Great at an auction in Berlin in 2013. Hammer price/appraisal was approximately 426,000 kr. Including inflation approximately 19%.

Measurements: Painting: H:34 B:26 cm. Frame: H:42.3 B:32,2 cm.

Condition:

Restored in 2024, by Gentofte Malerikonservering.

Leveling of color layer.

Cleaning of surface dirt and varnish.

Removal of overpainting.

Retouching.

Varnish.