Woman at the Cello (1903)

Vedel, Herman Albert Gude (1875 - 1948)

Woman at the Cello

Catalog# VEDH-003

Seated in front of a music stand holding sheet music, a female musician sits with her cello propped up on her chest. Her left hand hold the instrument in place as her right holds the bow. She is seated on an armless, brown, wooden chair with an upholstered cushion. Neither playing nor reading the music, she is gazing off into the room unfocused on any particular object. She is dressed in a black gown with subtle lace trimming. Her hair is modestly wrapped at the top of her neck. Her dejected stare, slouched posture and modest dress suggest that she is in mourning, or perhaps frustrated or unmoved by her melody. Vedel uses fine brush strokes leaving a smooth surface. His use of sullen earth tones aid in creating a mood of melancholy. The woman and her cello are executed realistically, but the music, stand, chair and back wall are impressionistic.

Vedel, Herman Albrecht Gude (1875-1948)

  • Born March 1st 1875 in Copenhagen, DK, son of Johan Peter Bernt Wedel and Anna Elisabeth Gude.
  • Married Pianist Karen Hertz December 21st 1906 in Copenhagen.
  • Died December 1st 1948 in Copenhagen.

Education:

  • 1893 - Student
  • 1894-1897 - The Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen
  • 1896-1899 - Christian Zahrtmann School of Art
  • *Studied in Russia, France in his youth and later studied in Holland, Belgium, Italy, Germany and England.

Travels & Stays:

  • *St. Petersburg - Russia, France, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Germany and England.

Awards & Acknowledgments:

  • 1902-03, 06, 09 - Royal Academy Medals
  • 1905 - Raben-Levetzau Prize
  • 1908, 09 - Years Medal (Eckersberg Medal)
  • 1909, 13 - Medals in Munich
  • 1918 - Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Medal

Positions & Appointments:

  • 1909 - Royal Academy Council Member

Exhibitions:

  • 1899-1912, 1914-16, 1918-37, 1939-49 - Spring Exhibitions at Charlottenborg Palace
  • 1909 - KE Exhibit
  • 1909 - National Art Exhibit in Århus
  • 1909, 13 - Glaspalast Exhibit in Munich
  • 1911 - World Exhibit in Rome
  • 1912 - “Modern Danish Artist’s” Exhibit in Brighton
  • 1913 - National Artist Association Exhibit
  • 1914 - Baltic Art Exhibit in Malmö
  • 1919 - “Newer Danish artist” Exhibit in Liljevalchs Art Hall, Stockholm
  • 1922 - “Danish Doctor’s Portrait Exhibit” in Axelborg, Copenhagen
  • 1922, 28, 36, 40, 49 - Fall Exhibitions at Charlottenborg Palace
  • 1928 - Helsingfors Art Hall Exhibit
  • 1929 - Danish Artist Forum Exhibit
  • 1929 - Danish Paintings, Sculpture and Applied Art Exhibit in Toronto
  • 1932 - Venice Exhibit
  • 1941 - Summer Exhibit at The National Museum of Art in Copenhagen
  • 1946 - National Artist Association Exhibit
  • 1952 - Fyn Art Museum Exhibit
  • 1957 - “100 years at Charlottenborg” Exhibit at Charlottenborg Palace
  • 1961 - “500 years of Danish Portrait Artists” at Charlottenborg Palace
  • 1963 - Koldinghouse Museum Exhibit
  • 1977 - “Artist Portraits” Exhibit at Charlottenborg Palace
  • 1985 - “The Royal Theater’s Artists” Exhibit at Frederiksborg Museum

*Herman A.G. Vedel was the known as the leading and most sought after portrait painter of his time.