Artwork
The Theologian Andreas Gottlob Rudelbach

The Theologian Andreas Gottlob Rudelbach is an oil painting by the Realist artist Christian Albrecht Jensen. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The depiction centers on Rudelbach himself, identifying him as the main subject without additional narrative or allegorical elements.
The painting is a portrait of Andreas Gottlob Rudelbach, a Danish theologian. As a portrait genre work, its primary purpose is to represent the likeness and character of this specific individual. The depiction centers on Rudelbach himself, identifying him as the main subject without additional narrative or allegorical elements.
The straightforward portraiture emphasizes the personal and professional identity of the theologian, reflecting the conventions of mid-19th-century Danish portrait painting.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1858, this portrait of the theologian Andreas Gottlob Rudelbach is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 31 cm in height and 25 cm in width. Created by Christian Albrecht Jensen, the piece is classified as a portrait and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
History & Provenance
Christian Albrecht Jensen executed the oil portrait of theologian Andreas Gottlob Rudelbach in 1858. The work was painted on canvas and measures 31 cm in height by 25 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, which serves as its location.
Legacy
The portrait of theologian Andreas Gottlob Rudelbach by Christian Albrecht Jensen, painted in 1858, has been displayed at the Statens Museum for Kunst since its acquisition, where it remains part of the permanent collection. The work is documented in major art historical references, including the museum's catalog, affirming its significance within 19th-century Danish portraiture. Its continued presence in the museum's collection underscores its enduring recognition as a notable example of the genre.
The painting's attribution and description have been consistently recorded in authoritative sources, ensuring its proper contextualization within the broader scope of art history. This sustained scholarly attention reflects its lasting contribution to the understanding of the period's portrait tradition.
Overview
Christian Albrecht Jensen, a Danish portraitist of the mid‑nineteenth century, painted The Theologian Andreas Gottlob Rudelbach in 1858. The work belongs to the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst and exemplifies Jensen’s prolific output of realistic portraits of notable contemporary figures.
Context
During the 1850s, Danish art emphasized faithful representation of prominent individuals, a trend that Jensen embodied through his extensive series of over four hundred portraits. This painting situates Rudelbach among the era’s leading scholars, reflecting the period’s intertwining of religious, academic, and artistic circles.
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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.
















