J. F. Willumsen (b. Copenhagen 1863, d. Cannes 1958)
Purchased by J.F. Willumsens Museum in December 2021.
“Interiør i Domkirken, ovenlys alene til højre” (Interior from the Cathedral; day light solely from the right). Signed J.F.W. 1912; signed and titled on an exhibition label on the stretcher (numbered 3). Oil and wax on canvas. 102×82 cm.
Literature: J.F. Willumsen: “Mine Erindringer Fortalt til Ernst Mentze”, Berlingske Forlag, Copenhagen, 1953, mentioned p. 198, titled here “Domkirken i Valencia” (The Cathedral of Valencia). Exhibited: “Edith Willumsen & J. F. Willumsens Atelierudstilling”, The Villa Strandagervej 28, Hellerup, September - October, 1913, cat. no. 39. Exhibited: “Den Frie Udstilling - Retrospektiv Sommerudstilling”, Copenhagen, 1914, cat. no. 348.
The motif is - also in 1912 - made as a lithograph in 10 copies entitled “Interiør fra Valencia Domkirke” (Interior from the Valencia Cathedral) (Sigurd Schultz no. 149), where the kneeling figures are not included.
In the years around this painting's creation, J. F. Willumsen repeatedly travels in Southern Europe - in Switzerland, Italy and Spain. In Italy he sees the works of the painter El Greco for the first time, which become a true obsession for him and also an inspiration in his own expressive use of color. Light and shadow effects play a major role in the works of the period, thus also in this interior of the Valencia Cathedral, where the intense effect of light in an otherwise dark room becomes the focal point of the image itself.
Condition report on request.
Please note: The item is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. In the event of a hammer price of DKK 50,000 or more, including buyer’s premium, the buyer must submit a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of address in order to collect the item.
Paintings & sculptures, 7 December 2021