Still Life With Flowers And Hidden Portrait, Dohlmann Augusta, Svanenmosegaard 1847 - 1914

Still Life with Flowers and Hidden Portrait

Dohlmann Augusta
Svanenmosegaard 1847 – 1914
Danish Painter
Signature: Monogrammed bottom left and dated 83

Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: Image size 71 x 57 cm, frame size 89 x 74 cm

This original work painted by a female artist is a beautiful still life with flowers and fruits. A mysterious portrait in the background that you can hardly see, is a testimony to mastery and great talent. Why is the portrait of a man which is located on the right side of the vase almost invisible? Surely she would have wanted to say something with a lot of care. 

At the end of 19 century, women were about to take their place as artists, and Dohlmann Augusta did much to achieve this. Art education was open to those who could afford it and the prospect of a serious education became a reality.

Still, it was more difficult for women to achieve artistic accomplishments at that time and this would continue for another century. Although women artists had gained access to drawing and painting, commercialization was still difficult. They sometimes had to use a male name or sign with a monogram.

Dohlmann Augusta was a strong lady and able to remain herself in her work, and support other young artists to seek and find their way in painting.

Biography: Dohlmann Augusta Johanne Henriette (Dohleman) was born May 9, 1847, in Frederiksberg. She was a Danish painter of still lifes, flowers and fruits.

In 1878, she went to Paris to improve her French language skills and devoted herself to the study to paint under the guidance of master teachers.

She returned to Denmark in 1880 and exhibited annually at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition. Throughout her lifetime she would make several trips to Europe.

In 1884, she began to exhibit paintings of flowers and still life paintings and in 1885 and 1886 resived a ministerial grant to continue her studies in Paris. She received a scholarship from the Académie in 1889, 1890 and 1894. She exhibited a large number of paintings abroad with a success.

Dohlmann was also active in the formation of the Art Academy’s. The Art School for Women was opened in 1888 in Copenhagen. In 1901 she became the first female member of the Board of the Kunstnerforeningen. In the mid 1890’s she taught drawing and painting in Gothersgade, located on a major street in the Copenhagen.

Dohlmann exhibited her work at the Palace of Fine Arts at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.

The painter died in Skotterup on June 22, 1914. Today, her works can be found in private and public collections, including at the Aarhuis Art Museum, Denmark.