Danish School, circa 1835

A Group Portrait of Mrs. Callisen and her Children by a Table

Details
Danish School, circa 1835
A Group Portrait of Mrs. Callisen and her Children by a Table
oil on unlined canvas
24.7/8 x 36in. (63.1 x 92.2cm.)

Lot Essay

Adolph Callisen (1786-1866), was appointed Knight of the Danneborg, States Councillor, professor and physician to King Christian VIII of Denmark. The present work portrays his wife, six daughters, and his son Adolph, who was also an officer at the Danish court prior to his marriage to Ellen Schlessinger, the daughter of a New York merchant. After their marriage they moved to New York where the young Dr. Callisen practiced medicine. In 1868 he founded The Callisen School for Boys in the New York City.

The sitters are Julie (1822-1842), Adolph (1819-1900), Ida (1820-1837), Christiane (1817-1878), Adolphine (1823-1917), Julia Callisen, ne From, Sophie (1815-1894), and their adopted daughter Henrietta Strm, who entered their household as the governess in 1822. The dog depicted is their pet pug, Ami.

Accompanied by two books recording the family history of the Callisens and the Schlessingers, and three albums with drawings, excercises and embroideries by the Callisen daughters.