Hugo V. Pedersen (b. Copenhagen 1870, d. Holte 1959)
Hugo V. Pedersen (b. Copenhagen 1870, d. Holte 1959)
An elephant procession with the Maharaja. Signed Hugo V. P. Oil on canvas. 307×207 cm.
Provenance: Bruun Rasmussen auction 454, 1983 no. 86, ill. p. 79.
In the book “Maleren Hugo V. Pedersen” by C. Gautier (1944), a work entitled “Indien” (India) is depicted on p. 65, which is probably a study for the present painting. Hugo V. Pedersen himself describes the motif of the Indian prince in the elephant procession on pp. 21–23 (in Danish):
”The mere sight of an Indian prince on his state elephant and surrounded by all his pomp and power can take the breath away from even a rather difficultly impressed foreigner. In the glowing splendor of India's sun against the sparkling deep cobalt blue sky, after long rows of the most refinedly conceived colourful attendants comes such a ruler in a jeweled splendor and golden radiance that makes the viewer lose his nose and mouth. As a rule, His Highness sits in a magnificent gold and silver howdah atop the state elephant, surrounded at all times by half a dozen bodyguards in heavy silk and gold-encrusted kites and turbans, all concerned only with fanning coolness with formidable peacock feather fans and the like to sweeten and ease the prince's “heavy duties of life”, here under a glorious canopy with only one task “to impress”. The animal itself, which carries the prince, is hung with immensely heavy silk-lined curtains and blankets of solid gold, while countless massive gold chains, arranged in dozens as meter-long chains, hang down from its head shield, which is often made of such heavy and solid gold that barely 4 or 6 men can lift it onto the animal's head. The tusks bear formidable gold rings and tusks. Most of the tusks are gilded with real gold, which is not polished, but is simply loosely applied to the gold base, so that the gold leaves wave and flutter with every movement and increase the unique effect of splendour. Around the entire neck hang half a hundred heavy gold and ore bells, which at every movement tell that the prince is approaching. Around the elephant's legs lie magnificent cushions, which are intended to prevent the heavy gold chains and silver rings of enormous dimensions resting on them from gnawing or molesting the lovely animal. The trunk and head itself are decorated by Indian painters with stylised ornaments and flowers, and at times enormous silver-plated national emblems and bells hang on the elephant's sides.”
Hugo V. Pedersen had a broad artistic repertoire and depicted his surroundings both in Denmark and especially on his many travels. Shortly after his education at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, he went out into the world at the age of 20, where he quickly became fascinated by foreign cultures and religions as well as landscapes and architecture that differed markedly from Danish ones.
The first trip was to Sumatra, where he visited his brother, who was working on a tobacco plantation, and from there he continued to Java, where he got a job as a court painter, before later reaching India, China, Japan and California. Everywhere he made sketches and studies, thus preserving his experiences for posterity. Longing led him away again and again, and in total he completed seven trips around the world in his life.
His encounter with Asia in particular influenced his art. Here he encountered many contradictions that would characterize his paintings, including the lavish princes versus the impoverished population. But also holy men, landscapes and the many cultural monuments were depicted on his canvases.
Several of Hugo V. Pedersen's most significant paintings originate from India, where he quickly earned the nickname “The Rajah Painter.” Here he became a sought-after portrait painter among local princes, who wanted their portraits to radiate splendour, opulence, and glory. He also painted Lord George Curzon (1899–1905), the Viceroy of India.
This lot is subject to Artist's Royalty.
Artist’s Royalty
In accordance with Danish copyright law, an additional royalty fee is to be paid for the purchase of works by contemporary Danish artist and some international artists who are either still alive, or who died within the last 70 years. × Read more
Category: Paintings
Additional Remarks: Please note: The item is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. In the event of a hammer price of DKK 50,000 or more, including buyer’s premium, the buyer must submit a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of address in order to collect the item.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Hugo V. Pedersen (b. Copenhagen 1870, d. Holte 1959)
An elephant procession with the Maharaja. Signed Hugo V. P. Oil on canvas. 307×207 cm.
Provenance: Bruun Rasmussen auction 454, 1983 no. 86, ill. p. 79.
In the book “Maleren Hugo V. Pedersen” by C. Gautier (1944), a work entitled “Indien” (India) is depicted on p. 65, which is probably a study for the present painting. Hugo V. Pedersen himself describes the motif of the Indian prince in the elephant procession on pp. 21–23 (in Danish):
”The mere sight of an Indian prince on his state elephant and surrounded by all his pomp and power can take the breath away from even a rather difficultly impressed foreigner. In the glowing splendor of India's sun against the sparkling deep cobalt blue sky, after long rows of the most refinedly conceived colourful attendants comes such a ruler in a jeweled splendor and golden radiance that makes the viewer lose his nose and mouth. As a rule, His Highness sits in a magnificent gold and silver howdah atop the state elephant, surrounded at all times by half a dozen bodyguards in heavy silk and gold-encrusted kites and turbans, all concerned only with fanning coolness with formidable peacock feather fans and the like to sweeten and ease the prince's “heavy duties of life”, here under a glorious canopy with only one task “to impress”. The animal itself, which carries the prince, is hung with immensely heavy silk-lined curtains and blankets of solid gold, while countless massive gold chains, arranged in dozens as meter-long chains, hang down from its head shield, which is often made of such heavy and solid gold that barely 4 or 6 men can lift it onto the animal's head. The tusks bear formidable gold rings and tusks. Most of the tusks are gilded with real gold, which is not polished, but is simply loosely applied to the gold base, so that the gold leaves wave and flutter with every movement and increase the unique effect of splendour. Around the entire neck hang half a hundred heavy gold and ore bells, which at every movement tell that the prince is approaching. Around the elephant's legs lie magnificent cushions, which are intended to prevent the heavy gold chains and silver rings of enormous dimensions resting on them from gnawing or molesting the lovely animal. The trunk and head itself are decorated by Indian painters with stylised ornaments and flowers, and at times enormous silver-plated national emblems and bells hang on the elephant's sides.”
Hugo V. Pedersen had a broad artistic repertoire and depicted his surroundings both in Denmark and especially on his many travels. Shortly after his education at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, he went out into the world at the age of 20, where he quickly became fascinated by foreign cultures and religions as well as landscapes and architecture that differed markedly from Danish ones.
The first trip was to Sumatra, where he visited his brother, who was working on a tobacco plantation, and from there he continued to Java, where he got a job as a court painter, before later reaching India, China, Japan and California. Everywhere he made sketches and studies, thus preserving his experiences for posterity. Longing led him away again and again, and in total he completed seven trips around the world in his life.
His encounter with Asia in particular influenced his art. Here he encountered many contradictions that would characterize his paintings, including the lavish princes versus the impoverished population. But also holy men, landscapes and the many cultural monuments were depicted on his canvases.
Several of Hugo V. Pedersen's most significant paintings originate from India, where he quickly earned the nickname “The Rajah Painter.” Here he became a sought-after portrait painter among local princes, who wanted their portraits to radiate splendour, opulence, and glory. He also painted Lord George Curzon (1899–1905), the Viceroy of India.
This lot is subject to Artist's Royalty.
Artist’s Royalty
In accordance with Danish copyright law, an additional royalty fee is to be paid for the purchase of works by contemporary Danish artist and some international artists who are either still alive, or who died within the last 70 years. × Read more
Category: Paintings
Additional Remarks: Please note: The item is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. In the event of a hammer price of DKK 50,000 or more, including buyer’s premium, the buyer must submit a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of address in order to collect the item.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
