Artwork
Studie af en ung kvinde (Thora Købke)
Studie af en ung kvinde (Thora 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, Studie af en ung kvinde (Thora Købke) is an oil painting by Danish artist Constantin Hansen. It belongs to the nation’s Golden Age of Painting and is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work presents a young woman in a restrained, naturalistic pose, exemplifying the period’s focus on intimate portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Thora Købke, shown with her head slightly turned to the right and her gaze lowered, suggesting quiet introspection. Her hands are raised in front of her, fingers splayed, adding a gentle, contemplative gesture that reinforces the painting’s serene mood.
Technique & Style
Hansen employs a subtle chiaroscuro, using light to model the face and hands while the background remains softly illuminated. The dark dress with a white collar and a modest headband contrast with the lighter surroundings, giving the figure depth and a three‑dimensional presence characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century Danish realism.
History & Provenance
Trained under the influential art historian Niels Laurits Høyen, Hansen produced works across portraiture, religious altarpieces, and mythological scenes. This study, executed early in his career, entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings, where it remains accessible to the public as part of the museum’s representation of the Golden Age.
Context
During the 1850s Danish artists emphasized natural observation and modest domestic subjects, moving away from grand historical narratives. Hansen’s portrait aligns with this trend, reflecting a broader cultural interest in depicting everyday individuals with psychological nuance.
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.
