Pehr Hilleström
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Scene from the drama Helmfelt, Act 5, Scene 4
Signed Hilleström. Panel 60.5 x 48 cm. Gilded and bronzed period frame.
Provenance
Bukowski Auctionhouse, auction no 472, 24 - 27 April 1990, catalogue no 82.
Literature
Agne Beijer, Gustaf Hilleström, "Gustaviansk teater skildrad av Pehr Hilleström", Stockholm, 1947, compare p. 62 and ill. p. 63.
Gerda Cederblom, "Pehr Hilleström som kulturskildrare", I, 1927. Listed in the artists own register are seven catalogue no with scenes from the opera, no 415, 425, 482, 516, 543, 549 and 594.
More information
The drama Helmfelt by king Gustav III was shown for the first time by the court in Ulriksdal in 1783. The first performance in Stockholm was in the theater by the Royal Palace ‘Bollhuset’ in 1788.
The drama is based on a true story and it tells about the field marshal Helmfelt, who in his youth had fled from his parents' house, but after 17 years of absence, when he reached one of the highest posts in the army, was reunited with the family.
In this scene we can see Helmfelt kneeling in front of his old father Grundel, former Mayor of Stockholm, and express an enormous emotion.