Frederik VII's ligfærd d. 2. december 1863 1889

Curator: This oil on canvas piece from 1889 by Carl Locher, titled "Frederik VII's ligfærd d. 2. december 1863," depicts a somber scene in Copenhagen. It currently resides here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Wow, immediately I feel like I'm wading through a dream—a sorrowful one, at that. It’s dark, almost oppressive, yet those flickering lights offer a melancholic beauty. Is it just me, or does it feel like a visual elegy? Curator: Precisely! The artwork captures the funeral procession of King Frederik VII by boat. Locher masterfully employs the Romantic and Impressionist styles to amplify the emotional gravity of the event, imbuing the cityscape with an aura of grief. Editor: You can really sense the convergence of styles. The almost photographic capture of the scene juxtaposed with the visible brushstrokes feels very modern. It's like the artist is showing us both the event and his feeling of the event simultaneously. And all those dark purples—deliciously dramatic! Do you know why he chose that particular vantage point, just on the water like that? Curator: Well, the water serves as both a reflecting surface and a metaphor. It mirrors the city lights, yes, but it also hints at the transience of life, and the passage from one state to another— mirroring death itself. Remember, water imagery was crucial in Romantic era meditations. By the way, observe how the glazes soften the light creating almost shimmering highlights that stand out in the somber atmosphere. Editor: Fascinating! It is an unexpectedly evocative piece, isn't it? Initially, I was consumed by the work's shadowy quality. But I am starting to think it’s actually Locher's command of light that truly commands attention, capturing it to make us feel how permanent yet delicate human experience truly is. Curator: Indeed. Through his sensitive use of color, texture, and light, Carl Locher transports us to that poignant moment in Copenhagen's history, allowing us to contemplate themes of loss, memory, and the shared human experience.