Artwork
Studie af en ung kvinde (Oline Købke)
Studie af en ung kvinde (Oline Købke) is an unspecified painting by Constantin Hansen. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1855 by Constantin Hansen, a leading painter of Denmark’s Golden Age, the work is a modestly sized portrait titled Studie af en ung kvinde (Oline Købke). It belongs to the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst and exemplifies Hansen’s focus on individual likenesses within a restrained, contemplative setting.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a young woman, identified as Oline Købke, with long wavy hair bound by a headband. She wears dark attire, her right hand rests lightly on her chest, and her neutral expression turns away from the viewer, suggesting a quiet, introspective mood rather than narrative drama.
Technique & Style
Hansen employs a delicate handling of light and shadow, allowing the pale background to contrast with the figure’s darker clothing. Fine brushwork captures the texture of hair and fabric, while the subdued palette and soft modeling reflect the artist’s meticulous approach to portraiture typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century Danish art.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in Danish public collections, ultimately entering the holdings of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Its provenance is straightforward, with no recorded sales or private ownership, underscoring its status as a work retained for national cultural heritage.
Context
During the 1850s, Hansen was active in both portrait commissions and larger historical compositions inspired by Norse mythology and national themes. This study, however, focuses on a personal subject, illustrating the artist’s ability to shift from grand historical narratives to intimate, individual studies within the same period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Carl Christian Constantin Hansen (Constantin Hansen) (3 November 1804 – 29 March 1880) was one of the painters associated with the Golden Age of Danish Painting.
