This early 20th-century oil painting by Danish artist Gustav Vermehren (1863-1931) depicts a rustic cottage interior with an open door and cupboard.

Leaning somewhat precariously on the edge of a wooden step, a cupboard catches the light. A bottle rests on top alongside a modest bunch of roses. On the wall, a gleaming copper pan appears to reflect the garden. While a green door with a simple latch stands open over a stone floor.

Everything here is uneven, it’s real, and even the floor itself is undulant. Vermehren’s interior scenes celebrate humble rural life, its places and its people. His Denmark was rooted in stone and toil, field labour and honest work. Quite a contrast from works by many of his contemporaries who opted to paint the city-dwelling bourgeoisie.

It’s a fine example of his dexterity and beautifully encapsulates his traditional view of a land he so admired.

Signed/dated lower right and held within a gilt frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 20½” x 21½” / 52cm x 55cm
Year of creation: 1912
Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed with artist’s name and illegible title on reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Fine craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £10,900

Gustav Vermehren

Gustav Vermehren was an eminent Danish painter of landscapes, interior scenes, portraits and figures. He was trained initially by his father, Frederik Vermehren, and later at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. His works convey a conservative view of Danish rural life and are naturalistic in their approach. He’s represented in various public collections.

Learn more about Gustav Vermehren in our directory.