The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgCarl Bloch

Carl Bloch

 

Carl Bloch was a Danish Painter and graphic artist, brother of Emil, Oscar and William Bloch. He is best known for various baroque-inspired paintings with motifs from history and mythology, such as Samson at the Philistines (1863, National Gallery of Denmark) and especially Christian II at Sønderborg Castle (1871, Frederiksborg Castle).

Carl Bloch was admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts in 1849 and was trained by Wilhelm Marstrand for the following four years. Like his mentor, Carl Bloch took great interest in scenes with ordinary people such as Fishing Families awaits the Homecoming of their Menfolk during Breakout of a Storm (1851, The Hirschsprung Collection) and Elderly Woman looking out of a Window (1874, National Gallery of Denmark). He spent time abroad several times and he painted many motifs from Italy: A Fisherman from Sorrento (1861, State Museum of Art) and At a Roman Cheese-makery (1866, National Gallery of Denmark). Carl Bloch occcupies a prominent place within Danish graphic art with 78 etchings which include landscapes, portraits and religious themes.

 

 

Relations

Crown Prince Frederik, 1867

Portrait of the young Crown Prince Frederik (VIII), painted by Carl Bloch in 1867.

1825-1850

The years towards the middle of the 19th century became increasingly marked by the national conflict between the Danes and Germans in the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. It culminated in the Three Years' War, or the First Schleswig War in 1848-51.

1850-1875

The social and political revolts in Europe in 1848 had ushered in new times for European states, and for Denmark too. But even though the absolute monarchy was abolished with the Constitution of 1849, the monarchy was far from disengaged from power.

1875-1900

The period was a peaceful one for Denmark. The spread of electricity and the invention of the telephone characterised the era, and industrialisation made many new things available, while the road network and the railways created new transport possibilities.