Proposal (The Rivals)
Axel Kulle
Hallwyl Museum
Stockholm, Sweden
Painted in Düsseldorf 1880. In litterture and exhibitions this painting has often been given the alternative titel “The Rivals”. However this interpretation of the theme is based on a misunderstanding because, the two young men are not competing for the girl´s hand in marriage. Instead the youth on the right is the suitor and the man at the table the girl´s brother who has become her lawful guardian and giver in marriage, in the place of their dead father. This transforms the emotional content of the picture. It is likely that the interior and costumes come from Torna hundered in Skåne, more exactly – probably- from the parish of Nöbbelöv.
- Title: Proposal (The Rivals)
- Creator: Axel Kulle
- Creator Lifespan: 1846 - 1908
- Creator Nationality: Swedish
- Creator Gender: Male
- Creator Death Place: Stockholm
- Creator Birth Place: Lund
- Tags: Swedish, Düsseldorf school
- Provenance: Wilhelm and Johanna Kempe, Stockholm bought directly from the artist in Paris1881.
- Physical Dimensions: w1020 x h735 mm (Without frame)
- Painter: Axel Kulle
- Artist info: Axel Kulle studied at the Art Academy from 1865 to 1872. He went to Düsseldorf in 1875 to study for Ferdinand Fagerlin. From Germany he sent home in 1877 the painting “The Church Council in Skåne”, which was bought by National Museum. He was awarded an academic scholarship in 1880 which he used to further art studies in Paris. He became a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in 1887, and began to serve as additional teachers at the academy. He is represented at the National Museum, Malmo Museum, Lund University Art Museum and Cultural History Museum in Lund.
- Type: Oil on canvas
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