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Portrait of the Scientist Hans Christian Ørsted

Unknown

1832

unspecified

From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst

Portrait

Dominant colour

Portrait of the Scientist Hans Christian Ørsted is a 1832 unspecified by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1832
Where can I see it?: Statens Museum for Kunst

About this work

This is a portrait of a man in a black coat and white cravat. His face is pale with a serious expression, and he’s wearing two medals on his chest. One hand rests on his lap, while the other is hidden behind him. The background is plain and dark, keeping all the focus on him. The medals suggest he held some kind of important role, possibly in science or government. His clothing looks formal, like something worn in the early 1800s. If you’re curious about how artists create depth with light and shadow, look up *chiaroscuro*.