Quitting Time
oil on panel, inscribed on reverse "M-15818 Fyraften" and estate stamp No. 224

The title of this work, "Fyraften" is a term used for ending the work day, knocking off, quitting work. However in this case it is used as a play on words for the end of the evening, time to go home. The scene depicts figures outside the local tavern at the end of the evening.

Erik Ludvig Henningsen was a Danish painter and illustrator known for his genre and social realist works depicting children and the working class. He was born in Copenhagen in 1885 and was the younger brother of Frants Henningsen, also an accomplished painter. In his adolescence Erik displayed great artistic talent and was accepted into the Royal Danish Academy in 1873 at the age of 18, graduating in 1877. He traveled widely throughout Europe and won numerous awards, exhibiting in Copenhagen, Vienna and Paris. Henningsen became focused on city life in Copenhagen, and during the first two decades of the 20th century his work concentrated on genre scenes and historical work. He was also an illustrator for books and magazines, perhaps his most iconic work being is his poster “The Thirsty Man” (1900) for Tuborg Brewery. He is represented in institutions including the Hirschsprung Collection, Copenhagen Museum and Stockholm Museum.
Size: 6 h x 6.5 w (with frame 10.25 h x 11.5 w in)
J21785