Peter Ilsted, Piano Lesson - Antique Etching

1900 - 1920

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A fine early 20th-century etching depicting two girls at the piano by Danish artist, Peter Ilsted (1861-1933).

Ilsted was one of the leading artists of his generation and his works are often compared with Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer. Note the strong emphasis on order in this composition with every element carefully positioned along horizontal and vertical lines. Even the wall panelling seems deliberately designed to draw the eye - as the story unfolds in our imagination.

Ilsted was a contemporary of Vilhelm Hammershoi (1864-1916) and Carl Holsoe (1863-1935) - with all three becoming masters of tranquil interior scenes. Ilsted's interiors are similar to Hammershoi’s but generally possess more order and mathematical precision. Hammershoi was married to Ilsted’s sister so the pair undoubtedly spent many afternoons discussing their ideas.

This particular piece is an early 20th-century mezzotint, which would’ve been based upon a plate originally produced by Illsted himself.

Medium: Mezzotint on paper

Overall size: 15” x 16½” / 38cm x 42cm

Year of creation: c. 1920

Provenance: Denmark

Condition: Overall very presentable. Frame with some light age-related wear.

Artist’s Auction Highlight (for etchings, prints and mezzotints): £8,030 achieved for an etching titled 'Bildnis von Vilhelm Hammershøi' at an auction in 2020.

Physical Dimensions

Height

42cm (16.54")

Width

38cm (14.96")

Depth

1cm (0.39")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA853168

Description

A fine early 20th-century etching depicting two girls at the piano by Danish artist, Peter Ilsted (1861-1933).

“

Ilsted was one of the leading artists of his generation and his works are often compared with Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer.

Brave Fine Art

Note the strong emphasis on order in this composition with every element carefully positioned along horizontal and vertical lines. Even the wall panelling seems deliberately designed to draw the eye - as the story unfolds in our imagination.

fig 1. Peter Ilsted, Piano Lesson - Antique Etching

Ilsted was a contemporary of Vilhelm Hammershoi (1864-1916) and Carl Holsoe (1863-1935) - with all three becoming masters of tranquil interior scenes. Ilsted's interiors are similar to Hammershoi’s but generally possess more order and mathematical precision. Hammershoi was married to Ilsted’s sister so the pair undoubtedly spent many afternoons discussing their ideas.

fig 2. Peter Ilsted, Piano Lesson - Antique Etching

This particular piece is an early 20th-century mezzotint, which would’ve been based upon a plate originally produced by Illsted himself.

Medium: Mezzotint on paper

Overall size: 15” x 16½” / 38cm x 42cm

fig 3. Peter Ilsted, Piano Lesson - Antique Etching

Year of creation: c. 1920

Provenance: Denmark

Condition: Overall very presentable. Frame with some light age-related wear.

Artist’s Auction Highlight (for etchings, prints and mezzotints): £8,030 achieved for an etching titled 'Bildnis von Vilhelm Hammershøi' at an auction in 2020.