Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg

Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (January 2, 1783-July 22, 1853) was a Danish painter. He was born in Blåkrog in the Duchy of Schleswig (now the southern part of Jutland in Denmark), to Henrik Vilhelm Eckersberg, painter and carpenter, and Ingeborg Nielsdatter. He went on to lay the foundation for the period of art known as the Golden Age of Danish Painting, and is referred to as the Father of Danish painting. Image File history File links Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg danish painter. ... Image File history File links Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg danish painter. ... January 2 is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... July 22 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... A painter is a person who paints woodwork, walls, etc. ... The region of Schleswig (Former English name: Sleswick, Danish: Sønderjylland, Low Saxon: Sleswig, North Frisian: Slaswik or Sleesweg) covers the area about 30 km north and 40 km south of the border between Germany and Denmark. ... Jutland Peninsula Jutland (Danish: Jylland, German: Jütland) is a peninsula in northern Europe that forms the mainland part of Denmark and a northern part of Germany, dividing the North Sea from the Baltic Sea. ... A carpenter is a skilled craftsman who performs carpentry -- a wide range of woodworking that includes constructing buildings, furniture, and other objects out of wood. ...

Life

Growing up and early training

In 1786 his family moved to Blans, a village near the picturesque Alssund, where he enjoyed drawing pictures of the surrounding countryside, and taking sailing tours in his father's boat. After confirmation he began his training as a painter under church- and portrait painter, Jes Jessen of Åbenrå (1797-1800). He continued his training at 17 years of age under Josiah Jacob Jessen in Flensborg, where he became an apprentice in May 1800. He, however, had his sights set on being accepted at the Royal Danish Academy of Art (Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi) in Copenhagen. 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person. ... Ã…benrÃ¥ (Also spelled Aabenraa the traditional spelling, in German: Apenrade), is a municipality in south Denmark, in the county of South Jutland on the peninsula of Jutland. ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1800 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Statistics State: Schleswig-Holstein District: Independent city Area: 56. ... 1800 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... City nickname: none Location in Denmark Area  - Total  - Water 526 km² xxx km² xx% Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density 502,204 1,116,979 954/km2 [including water] xxx/km2 [land only] Time zone Eastern: UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 55°43 N 12°34 E Copenhagen (Danish: København) is...

Training at the Academy

Still under apprenticeship he produced proficient drawings and paintings. Having amassed some money, including financial support from local well-wishers, he arrived at Copenhagen's Tollboth on May 23, 1803. He was accepted into the Academy without payment in 1803 where he studied with Nikolaj Abraham Abildgaard, among others. City nickname: none Location in Denmark Area  - Total  - Water 526 km² xxx km² xx% Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density 502,204 1,116,979 954/km2 [including water] xxx/km2 [land only] Time zone Eastern: UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 55°43 N 12°34 E Copenhagen (Danish: København) is... May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (144th in leap years). ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Nikolaj Abraham Abildgaard (September 11, 1743 - June 4, 1809) was born in Copenhagen, Denmark the son of Søren Abildgaard, an antiquarian draughtsman of repute, and Anne Margrethe Bastholm. ...

He made good progress, painting historical paintings, portraits and landscapes. However, friction between him and Abildgaard impeded his advancement, and he did not win the Academy's big gold medal until 1809, after Abildgaard's death. He also worked to earn living money as a hand laborer, and he made drawings for copperplate etchings. Categories: Art stubs | Painting ... Self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person. ... The Harvesters, by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, 1565: Peace and agriculture in a pre-Romantic ideal landscape, without sublime terrors The word landscape as most westerners use it is completely entrenched in western notions of land, nature and art. ... 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Etching is an intaglio method of printmaking in which the image is incised into the surface of a metal plate using an acid. ...

Although he received promise of a travel stipend in conjunction with the gold medal, the actual funds would not be made available until 1812. On July 1, 1810, he married E. Christine Rebecca Hysing against his wishes, in order to legitimize a son, Erling Carl Vilhelm Eckersberg, that was born to her. His son, Erling, eventually followed in his father's footsteps with an Academy education, and a career as a copperplate engraver. 1812 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard, flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. ...

Student travels

Eager to travel, not only on account of his desire to stretch his artistic skills and knowledge, but also in order to escape the reality of this marriage, he made other arrangements for the financial support needed that would allow him to travel. On July 3, a few days after the wedding, he began his travels out of the country. Along with Tønnes Christian Bruun de Neergaard, writer, enthusiastic art lover and financial supporter, he made his way over Germany to Paris. Here he studied under neoclassicist Jacques-Louis David from 1811-1812. He improved his skills in painting the human form, and followed his teacher's admonition to paint after Nature and the Antique in order to find Truth. It was here that he developed a lifelong friendship with Paris roommate, fellow artist Jens Peter Møller, and with engraver Johan Frederik Clemens, Jens Juel's collaborator. July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... For information about the economic theory, see neoclassical economics. ... Self portrait (1794) Jacques-Louis David (August 30, 1748 – December 29, 1825) was a highly influential French painter in the Neoclassical style. ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1812 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Johan Frederik Clemens, (November 29, 1749- November 5, 1831), Danish engraver (copperplate etcher), was born in Golnau near Stettin (Szczecin in current day Poland), in the Pomeranian area of the times, to a poor Saxon weaver, Johan David Clemens, and his wife Anna Francken. ... Self-portrait with wife, 1791. ...

After two years he traveled further via Florence to Rome where he continued his studies between 1813-1816. He worked on improving his skills as a history painter, and enjoyed painting smaller studies of the local life and area. He lived there three years among a store group of artists, with Bertel Thorvaldsen as the cultural head. Eckersberg and Thorvaldsen developed a close lasting relationship, and the master served the younger Eckersberg as both loyal friend and advisor. Eckersberg painted one of his best portraits, a portrait of Thorvaldsen, in Rome 1814, which was donated to the Academy of Art. Life in Rome agreed with him, and he was greatly affected by the bright southern light he exerienced there. He produced a large body of work during those years, including a number of exceptional landscape studies. Founded 59 BC as Florentia Region Tuscany Mayor Leonardo Domenici (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  102 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 356,000 almost 500,000 3,453/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 43°47 N 11°15 E www. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  1290 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,546,807 almost 4,000,000 1... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Categories: Art stubs | Painting ... Bertel Thorvaldsen, portrait by Karl Begas, c. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  1290 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,546,807 almost 4,000,000 1... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

His divorce from Hying was finalized during his stay out of the country, and on August 2, 1816 he had returned to Denmark. August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ... 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

An Academic career

Shortly after his return to Denmark he arranged for his admission into the Academy, and received as the subject of his admissions painting the Norse legend, the Death of Baldur. On February 8, 1817 he wed Elisabeth Cathrine Julie Juel, daughter of Jens Juel, portrait painter and professor at the Academy. They had 2 sons and 4 daughters before her death in 1827. Norse mythology, Viking mythology or Scandinavian mythology refer to the pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people, including those who settled on Iceland, where the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ... In Norse Mythology, Baldur (also Balder, ON Baldr), the god of innocence, beauty, joy, purity, and peace, is Odins second son. ... February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1827 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

He was admitted as member of the Academy in October 1817, and was named professor at the Academy in 1818 having acceded to the vacant professorship caused by the death of Nikolaj Abraham Abildgaard in 1809. The Academy had waited to fill the position until Eckersberg had returned to Denmark from his student travels, while delaying the attempts by Abildgaard's disciple, Christian Fædder Høyer, from Christian Gotlieb Kratzenstein-Stub, and from J. L. Lund to seek the same position. Finally the Academy awarded the position not only to Eckersberg, but also to Lund. 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Nikolaj Abraham Abildgaard (September 11, 1743 - June 4, 1809) was born in Copenhagen, Denmark the son of Søren Abildgaard, an antiquarian draughtsman of repute, and Anne Margrethe Bastholm. ... 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Johan Ludwig Gebhard Lund (primarily known as J.L. Lund), (October 16, 1777-March 3, 1867), Danish painter, was born in Kiel, Germany to master painter Hans Giewert Lund and his wife Maria Magdalena Christina Bremer. ...

A year after the death of his wife Elisabeth in 1827, he married her sister Susanne Henriette Emilie Juel, with whom he alo had several children.

He was Director of the Academy from 1827-1829. His eyesight failed him in later life and he had to give up painting. He died in Copenhagen of cholera July 22, 1853 during the great epidemic. He is buried in Copenhagen's Assistens Cemetery. 1827 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... July 22 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Assistens Cemetery (Assistens Kirkegård) is located in a large park in the Nørrebro section of Copenhagen, Denmark. ...

Works

Morgentoilette

Portrait of Thorvaldsen's Italian mistress, Anna Maria Magnani

He was commissioned to do a number of historical paintings for Christiansborg Castle, as well as altarpieces. His best known works are portraits of the Copenhagen middle class, such as the "Nathanson family picture" (Det Nathansonske Familiebillede), 1818, and the official portrait of Frederick VI (Frederik VI). In spite of his abilities in this genre, his career in portraiture was shortlived, due to the competition he received from then popular Christian Albrecht Jensen. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2091, 307 KB) Description: Title: de: Rückenakt (Morgentoilette) Technique: de: Öl auf Leinwand Dimensions: de: 31 × 25 cm Country of origin: de: Dänemark Current location (city): de: Kopenhagen Current location (gallery): de: Hirschsprungske Samling Other notes: Source: The Yorck... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2091, 307 KB) Description: Title: de: Rückenakt (Morgentoilette) Technique: de: Öl auf Leinwand Dimensions: de: 31 × 25 cm Country of origin: de: Dänemark Current location (city): de: Kopenhagen Current location (gallery): de: Hirschsprungske Samling Other notes: Source: The Yorck... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2269, 436 KB) Description: Title: de: Porträt der Anna Maria Magnani Technique: de: Öl auf Leinwand Dimensions: de: 31 × 22 cm Country of origin: de: Dänemark Current location (city): de: Kopenhagen Current location (gallery): de: Hirschsprungske Samling Other notes... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2269, 436 KB) Description: Title: de: Porträt der Anna Maria Magnani Technique: de: Öl auf Leinwand Dimensions: de: 31 × 22 cm Country of origin: de: Dänemark Current location (city): de: Kopenhagen Current location (gallery): de: Hirschsprungske Samling Other notes... Bertel Thorvaldsen, portrait by Karl Begas, c. ... Christiansborg Castle Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen in Copenhagen was built for the countrys three supreme powers: the royal power, the legislative power, and the judicial power. ... An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar of a church. ... Self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person. ... The middle class (or middle classes) comprises a social group once defined by exception as an intermediate social class between the nobility and the peasantry. ... King Frederick VI of Denmark and Norway (January 28, 1768 – December 3, 1839), reigned as King of Denmark from 1808 to 1839, and as king of Norway from 1808 to 1814. ...

Marine paintings were another genre he developed with great interest. He had a passion for ships, and sailed around the Skagerrak, the Kattegat, the North Sea, and as far as the English Channel at the age of 56. The experience of sailing out on the open seas, gave new dimension to his marine paintings, that until that point tended to be calm depictions. Now there was more attention given to movement and to waves. A genre is any of the traditional divisions of art forms from a single field of activity into various kinds according to criteria particular to that form. ... The Skagerrak strait runs between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden and the Jutland peninsula of Denmark, connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat strait, which leads to the Baltic Sea. ... The Baltic Sea The Kattegat, or Kattegatt, is a bay of the North Sea and a continuation of the Skagerrak, bounded by Denmark and Sweden. ... The North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the coasts of Norway and Denmark in the east, the coast of the British Isles in the west, and the German, Dutch, Belgian and French coasts in the south. ... The English Channel, also for some time known as the British Sea (French: La Manche, the sleeve) is the part of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the island of Great Britain from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. ...

The Admiralty in 1819 had granted him free access to the Copenhagen Naval Station (Holmen), thus giving him occasion to view the many ships – a favorite motive in his paintings. During summer, the sailors would practice swimming here – of course all naked. This gave Eckersberg a unique opportunity to watch men in a state of complete undress and to make an artistic evaluation of their physical build. He could thus here select the models whom he needed for his paintings with motives from Greek or Roman antiquity. Nudity in sport, i. ...

But his biggest contribution to painting was through his professorship at the Academy. He revitalized teaching by taking students out into the field, where they were challenged to do studies from nature. In this way it was he who introduced direct study from nature into Danish art. He also encouraged his students to develop their individual strengths, thus creating unique styles. Among his students were Wilhelm Bendz, Albert Küchler, Christen Købke, Vilhelm Kyhn, Jørgen Roed, Martinus Rørbye, Holger Roed, Constantin Hansen, Wilhelm Marstrand, Adam August Müller, Matthias Heinrich Elias Eddelien, Emanuel Larsen, Niels Carl Michaelius Flindt Dahl, and Anton Laurids Johannes Dorph. Wilhelm Ferdinand Bendz (March 20, 1804 - November 14, 1832) was one of the main participants of the so-called Golden Age of Danish Painting. ... Frederiksborg Slot ved Aftenbelysning (Frederiksborg Palace in the Light of Evening).(1835) Christen Schiellerup Købke (May 26, 1810-February 7, 1848), Danish painter, was born in Copenhagen to Peter Berendt Købke, a baker, and his wife Cecilie Margrete. ... Peter Vilhelm Carl Kyhn, (March 30, 1819-May 11, 1903), Danish national romantic landscape painter, was born in Copenhagen to Carl Gottlieb Kyhn and his wife Sara Marie. ... Jørgen Roed, (January 13, 1808-August 8, 1888), Danish portrait and genre painter associated with the Golden Age of Danish Painting, was born in Ringsted to Peder Jørgensen Roed and wife, Ellen Hansdatter. ... Martinus Christian Wesseltoft Rørbye, (May 19, 1803-March 29, 1848), Danish genre painter, was born in Drammen, Norway to Danish parents Ferdinand Henrik Rørbye and wife Frederikke Eleonore Catherine de Stockfleth. ... Carl Christian Constantin Hansen (Constantin Hansen) (November 3, 1804-1880) was one of the painters associated with the Golden Age of Danish Painting. He was born in Rome, the son of portrait painter Hans Hansen. ... Vilhelm Nikolaj Marstrand (December 24, 1810-March 25, 1873), painter and illustrator, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to Nicolai Jacob Marstrand, mechanic and inventor, and Petra Ottilia Smith. ...

He developed an increasing interest in perspective on account of his marine paintings. He wrote a dissertation on the subject called "Linear perspective used in the art of painting" (Linearperspektiven anvendt paa Malerkunsten), 1841, and taught classes on the subject at the Academy. He made a small number of etchings that combine daily life observations with classical, harmonious principles of composition. This led the way to the characteristic manner in which Golden Age painters portrayed the common, everyday life.

There is a selfportrait from 1803, a bust of him by Thorvaldsen from 1816 and a portrait by Marstrand from 1836. 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

See also

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Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg

• List of Danish painters