Summer evening in Tivoli. In the background "Stillmann's Concert Hall", the forerunner of the theater building "Glassalen" and the bust of H. C. Lumbye, beloved Tivoli composer and orchestra leader. Signed and dated Paul Fischer 1888. Oil on canvas. 42 x 53 cm. Exhibited: Øregaard Museum, "Paul Fischer på Øregaard Museum", 2003 no. 3. Danish private collection, purchased Bruun Rasmussen auction 760, 2006 no. 1032 reproduced p. 33. Georg Carstensen (1812-57) was an enterprising businessman who loved travelling. In 1843 he established the first leading European entertainment scene in Copenhagen with the founding of Tivoli. On his travels he had seen similar establishments and Carstensen's great success with the so-called "Festinoer", illuminations and fireworks celebrations, made him want a larger project "The Copenhagen Tivoli and Vauxhall". He was given a five-year Royal privilege in 1842. Tivoli was immediately a huge success, which over the years saw additions and close-downs around the garden's classics: The Pantomime Theatre, concert hall and theatres, "Kunstnerplænen" (The artist's lawn), the roller coaster and the eating and dancing places. Particularly in 1888, the year Paul Fischer painted this summer evening in Tivoli, the audience could experience exciting news. That year Copenhagen celebrated "The Nordic Industry, Agriculture and Art Exhibition" in which Tivoli were incorporated in the exhibition area and could offer in the Tivoli Lake a frigate "Saint George" with catering on board. The Garden's stunning lighting effects are significant in Fischer's painting: The illuminated concert hall, the lampions and street lamps with the stylized flower heads of opal glass. Carstensen, who died in 1857 at the age of only 44 years old, would have loved it. He paid special attention to the illumination of Tivoli, first with gas and later with electricity, as a means to impress Tivoli's guests - a tradition the old Garden has kept alive until today. Estimate in DKK : 500000 600000