Artwork

Mathilde Theresia von Irgens-Bergh, née Holsten, the Wife of Mathias Friis von Irgens-Bergh

Mathilde Theresia von Irgens-Bergh, née Holsten, the Wife of Mathias Friis von Irgens-Bergh is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The work, titled Mathilde Theresia von Irgens-Bergh, née Holsten, the Wife of Mathias Friis von Irgens-Bergh, is an oil portrait executed in 1824. It is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The image presents a single seated figure, rendered with a restrained palette and a focus on the sitter’s dignified bearing.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Mathilde Theresia von Irgens-Bergh, identified by her married name and maiden surname. She is shown in a dark, modest dress with a high neckline, complemented by a pearl necklace and an ornamental feathered headpiece. Her hair is gathered up, and her expression is calm, suggesting composure and social standing typical of early‑nineteenth‑century portraiture.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using a strong light source to illuminate the face while the surrounding background recedes into deep shadow.

The artist employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using a strong light source to illuminate the face while the surrounding background recedes into deep shadow. This contrast gives the figure a sculptural quality and emphasizes the texture of the fabrics and jewelry. The brushwork is smooth in the facial features, while the drapery is rendered with broader strokes, reflecting the period’s academic portrait conventions.

History & Provenance

Created in 1824, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on view. No further documentation of previous owners or exhibition history is recorded in the available sources, indicating that the work has likely remained within institutional collections since its acquisition.