Artwork
Mathias Friis von Irgens-Bergh, chargé d'affaires i Dresden
Mathias Friis von Irgens-Bergh, chargé d'affaires i Dresden is an oil painting by Christian Albrecht Jensen. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Christian Albrecht Jensen, a Danish portraitist of the early 19th century, painted the diplomat Mathias Friis von Irgens‑Bergh in 1824. Executed in oil on canvas, the work now belongs to the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Mathias Friis von Irgens‑Bergh, is shown in the official capacity of chargé d’affaires in Dresden. He wears a dark coat, a white cravat, and a medal‑like star on his chest, indicating a state honor or diplomatic rank. The plain, dark backdrop directs attention to his facial expression and attire, underscoring his professional status.
Technique & Style
Jensen employs a restrained palette of muted tones, allowing the pale complexion and subtle stubble of the diplomat’s face to emerge under a soft, diffused light. The brushwork is smooth and precise, characteristic of the Danish Golden Age’s emphasis on clarity and faithful representation in portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created during Jensen’s prolific period, when he produced more than four hundred portraits of notable contemporaries, the painting has remained in Danish public ownership. It entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s representation of early‑19th‑century Danish portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christian Albrecht Jensen (26 June 1792 – 13 July 1870) was a Danish painter who specialised in portrait painting and was active during the Danish Golden Age.
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