After Durupt, Icelandic Portrait of Finnur Magnussen, Scholar of Norse Myth, 1842, Print

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Antique Portrait of Finnur Magnussen – Icelandic Scholar, 1842 This finely executed portrait depicts Finnur Magnussen (1781–1847), also known under … Read more Antique Portrait of Finnur Magnussen – Icelandic Scholar, 1842 This finely executed portrait depicts Finnur Magnussen (1781–1847), also known under the Danish rendering of his name, Finn Magnussen or Magnusen. He was a renowned Icelandic scholar, philologist, and archaeologist who worked in Denmark, recognized for his extensive studies of Old Norse literature, runes, and mythology. The image shows him seated at a desk with two books, a symbolic nod to his lifelong devotion to scholarship and antiquarian research. His serious, penetrating gaze and formal attire reflect his status as a respected academic figure of 19th-century Scandinavia. The portrait was issued as Plate 5 in Voyage en Islande et au Groenland by Paul Gaimard, published in Paris in 1842. Gaimard (1793–1858) was a French naval surgeon and naturalist who took part in several major exploratory voyages, including the circumnavigation of the world with Freycinet and later expeditions under Dumont d’Urville. His Icelandic voyage of 1835, undertaken in search of Jean de Blosseville’s lost Arctic expedition, resulted instead in one of the most important illustrated travel accounts of Iceland and Greenland of the 19th century. This portrait was engraved by Émile Lasalle (1806–1879), a French lithographer celebrated for his skill in capturing likeness and expression. The composition combines scientific documentary value with artistic refinement, presenting not only an image of the man but also a tribute to his intellectual contributions. Works from Gaimard’s publication are highly collectible, valued both for their artistry and their role in documenting the North Atlantic’s cultural and scientific history. Condition report: Very good impression on strong paper with ample margins. Light marginal toning and a few scattered foxing spots, not affecting the image. Plate mark visible. Framing tips: A dark walnut or black frame with a warm cream or ivory mat will highlight the portrait’s fine tonal range, while a gilt inner fillet will provide an elegant contrast befitting its scholarly subject. Technique: Lithograph Maker: Émile Lasalle after Paul Gaimard, Paris, 1842 See less