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Barneportræt

Unknown

1834

From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Barneportræt is a 1834 by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1834 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Statens Museum for Kunst

About this work

This is a close-up of a young child with light brown hair and serious eyes. They’re wearing a bright red dress with small black dots, standing against a plain dark background. The face looks soft but slightly worn, with a quiet expression. The painting is actually an early photograph, not a painting at all—this was made in 1834. The artist used light and shadow to give the face a three-dimensional feel. Check out chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and dark to create depth.