Artwork

Portrait of the Artist´s Mother, Cecilia Margrethe Købke, née Petersen

Portrait of the Artist´s Mother, Cecilia Margrethe Købke, née Petersen is an oil painting by the German Romanticist artist Christen Købke. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of the Artist's Mother, Cecilia Margrethe Købke, née Petersen, is an 1836 oil painting by Christen Købke, a prominent artist of the Danish Golden Age. The work is characterized by a restrained emotional tone, typical of Købke's portraiture, and is now part of the Statens Museum for Kunst collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Købke's elderly mother, Cecilia, in a pose of quiet contemplation. Her attire, a green dress, brown shawl, and white bonnet with green accents, and hairstyle convey modesty and dignity. The inclusion of a ball of white thread on a nearby table adds a subtle, everyday detail to her portrayal.

Technique & Style

Købke executed the portrait in the style of German Romanticism. The use of color and composition creates an intimate atmosphere, drawing the viewer's focus to the subject's serene, introspective state. The overall effect is one of understated elegance and emotional restraint.

History & Provenance

Created in 1836, the portrait has been acquired by the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the permanent collection, offering insight into Købke's approach to portraiture during the Danish Golden Age.

Context

This work reflects the artistic values of the Danish Golden Age, emphasizing simplicity, intimacy, and the everyday. It also aligns with the influences of German Romanticism prevalent during this period, though tempered by Købke's distinct restraint.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this portrait are not broadly highlighted, it contributes to the broader appreciation of Christen Købke's contributions to Danish art history and the enduring appeal of the Danish Golden Age's aesthetic sensibilities.

Portrait of the Artist´s Mother, Cecilia Margrethe Købke, née Petersen, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Christen Købke

Christen Schiellerup Købke (26 May 1810 – 7 February 1848) was a Danish painter, and one of the best-known artists from the Golden Age of Danish Painting.