This fine mid-19th-century oil painting by Danish artist David Monies (1812-1894) depicts Just Henrik Voltelen Paulli (1809-1865) wearing silk robes and a white ruff. Monies was a distinguished portraitist who became a member and professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He also produced an array of whimsically-spirited genre scenes.

Monies spent much of his childhood in poverty after his father’s cigar factory was impacted by the effects of war. It was owing to his innate artistic ability that he gained admission to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts at the age of 12. The Academy noted his talent as being of ‘unusual facilities.’ Indeed, alongside his studies, he was also encouraged by the artist J.L. Lund (1777-1867) to pursue an art career and exhibit his work. Quickly building a list of notable patrons, he was able to finance a trip to Munich, while also winning a scholarship to fund further travels.

Portraiture as an artistic career was a profitable venture in Denmark during the 19th century. A growing bourgeois middle class desired to have their image depicted as a sign of their stature and wealth. Monies executed his portraits with a cunning likeness, figures elegantly posed and delicately colourised.

Here, in this exquisite work from 1838, he’s captured not only the finer details but also the spirit of Just Henrik Voltelen Paulli. Paulli was a student at the von Westenske Institut and became a Master of Theology in 1833. Respected as a gifted preacher, he transferred to the opulent environs of Christiansborg Castle Church where he worked for 20 years and later became a 'royal confessor'. The portrait has been catalogued at the Royal Danish Library.

Monies achieved great success as an artist, so much so that lithographs were produced of his works to disseminate copies more readily. He also became a member, and eventually a professor, of the Academy. Gaining further recognition when knighted with the Order of the Dannebrog. From an impoverished childhood, he left an indelible mark on Danish art.

Signed/dated mid-left and held within a splendid gilt frame supplied by the court gilder, Peder Christian Dambourg.

Learn more about David Monies in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 33½” x 38½” / 85cm x 98cm
Year of creation: 1838
Labels & Inscriptions: Label relating to the Danish court gilder, Peder Christian Dambourg, on the reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Faint stretcher marks. 
Artist’s auction maximum: £8,866 for ‘The Huntsman’, Oil on canvas, Butterfield & Butterfield, European Paintings, San Francisco, 1997 (lot 4134).
Our reference: BRV1570