How does The Hirschsprung family portrait elucidate its Background?
Heinrich Hirschsprung (1836-1908) was the son of a tobacconist of German-Jewish descent. Together with his brother Bernhard he took over A.M. Hirschsprung & Sønner in 1858. In 1866, he built a modern cigar factory with which he amassed a fortune.
Hirschsprung was a great art lover and would eventually become an avid art collector as well. He was impressed by Krøyer's talent early on in his career and so Hirschsprung decided to support Krøyer by purchasing his work and financing his travels abroad from 1877 to 1881. Krøyer also quickly became an intimate friend of the family, conducting extensive correspondence with Hirschsprung's wife Pauline and portraying various members of the family in his paintings. The Hirschsprung family portrait is an outstanding example of the close relationship between the Hirschsprung family and Krøyer. It was requested by Pauline, Heinrich's wife who wanted a family portrait before her sons went off to boarding school in Switzerland. Krøyer prepared for the painting with sketches and drawings of each individual family member, as well as several composition studies. The painting would remain in the family's possession until Hirschsprung handed over his collection to the Danish state in 1902.
A.M. Hirschsprung & Sønner painting Heinrich Hirschsprung