Apis Temple

The temple of Apis, painted in 1809, is now at the Statens Museum for Kunst. This early work shows Eckersberg engaging with the archaeological and Egyptological interests that were current in European art following Napoleon"s Egyptian campaign. The classical architectural subject reflects academic training"s emphasis on the study of ancient buildings. Eckersberg transformed Danish painting by insisting on direct observation as the foundation of all artistic practice. As professor at the Copenhagen Academy from 1818, he trained the core group of painters who created Denmark's Golden Age: Christen Købke, Wilhelm Marstrand, Martinus Rørbye, and many others.

The architectural subject is rendered with precise attention to structure and proportion, showing the young Eckersberg"s developing skill in depicting buildings. The palette responds to the imagined Egyptian setting with warm, golden tones. The handling is careful and somewhat conservative, consistent with Eckersberg"s pre-Parisian technique.