Jørgen Valentin Sonne “Retreat”, 1869

Watercolor on paper, signed and dated lower right: "I.S 1869", on reverse "Sonne".

Framed: 32x40 cm (17x25 cm)

Jørgen Valentin Sonne (Birkerød 1801 – 1890) was a Danish genre painter, known primarily for his battle scenes. Sonne originally intended to pursue a military career and enrolled at the Royal Danish Military Academy, but left after a year and attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts instead. At the same time, he began to work in the studios of Christian David Gebauer, mostly making copies of the old Dutch Masters. He also painted some original pictures and had a small showing in 1818. In 1828, he received a travel stipend from the Academy that allowed him to visit Munich, where he became an apprentice of the history painter, Peter von Cornelius. When he left Munich, he was able to obtain further support for studies in Rome. While there, he made numerous hunting trips as an excuse to observe the rural peasants and their daily habits. During these trips he made sketches that he would use as inspiration throughout his career. He returned to Denmark in 1841; producing works based on his Italian studies as well as ones depicting the Danish peasantry. In 1865, he was awarded the Anckerske Legat [da] (a scholarship for writers, artists and composers) and was able to return to Italy for a year. In addition to his canvases, he is known for designing a large mural on the exterior walls of the Thorvaldsen Museum and illustrations for a Danish translation of the Hindu play, Shakuntala.