Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg acquired by Courtauld
July 1 2025
Picture: Courtauld
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Courtauld Gallery have announced their acquisition of Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg's Evening atmosphere with sailors at the quay. It was acquired with support in memory of Melvin R. Seiden. The work had sold in 2008 at Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers where it made the equivalent of $44,114 (inc. commission).
According to the gallery's post:
Eckersberg (1783-1853), the 'Father of Danish painting', was the preeminent artist of his era, who laid the foundation of the so-called Golden Age of Danish Painting. His work is currently little-represented in UK public collections, with the majority of his works held in Denmark.
The drawing depicts harbour workers standing on the Nyhavn waterfront in Copenhagen, overlooking the wall of the botanical gardens. Eckersberg indulges in describing the beautiful, long shadows cast by the three figures, captured here at the end of a long day. It is both a typical subject for the artist, and a superb example of his mastery of light and shadow.
