Frederik Vermehren, A Room In An Old Farmhouse, Zealand

Frederik Vermehren, A Room In An Old Farmhouse, Zealand

A characterful mid-19th-century interior scene by Danish artist, Frederik Vermehren (1823-1910). It was painted in 1847 when Vermehren was just 24.

There’s plenty to admire about this charming old farmhouse and we particularly love its uneven nature. Note the wonky cupboard in the upper right and the irons hanging from the top shelf. Perhaps Vermehren emphasised the rustic nature of this room to add even more character. The boots in the foreground are also an intriguing addition. Were they his own?

Vermehren was a genre and portrait painter that worked during the ‘Golden Age of Danish Painting’. He’s best known for his depictions of ordinary rural folk, particularly farmers and those that work the land.

His first exposure to the academic world of art came via drawing classes with landscape painter Hans Harder (1792–1873) at the Sorø Academy. This provided the basis for a successful career and in 1844, he enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen.

With the Academy’s support, Vermehren spent time absorbing the rich artistic heritage of flourishing cities such as Florence, Venice, Rome, Paris, Cologne and Brussels. He would later exhibit in many major international cities, including at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1878.

In 1864, he became a member of the Academy and focused primarily on portraiture from that point on.

Since his death in 1910, many of his works have been acquired by museums, including the National Art Museum in Copenhagen, and one of his early paintings ‘A Shoemaker in his Kitchen’ was purchased by King Christian VIII.

The painting is signed/dated in the lower left and housed within a frame that’s possibly the original. It was exhibited in 1965 at the Foreningen for National Kunst, which was an association based in Copenhagen - founded by Frederick’s son, Gustav.

Medium: Oil on paper laid on canvas
Overall size: 19½” x 16½” / 49cm x 42cm
Year of creation: 1847
Provenance: Denmark
Condition: Good. Small crease towards the top. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £13,562 achieved for a landscape painting at an auction in 2006.

Conservation & History

We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.

Stay In Touch
Subscribe to our Wednesday newsletter for the latest finds and 10% off your order.

Availability