The Slotskirken of Christiansborg, Copenhagen
1854
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1854
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Heinrich Hansen painted the quiet interior of Slotskirken, a royal chapel in Copenhagen. Sunlight cuts across the floor in straight lines. The dome above holds four stone angels, watching the empty wooden pews. Hansen likely borrowed tricks from 17th-century Dutch church paintings. He used soft shadows and bright highlights to make the stone look real. The angels’ faces stay in half-light, just clear enough to see. Check out his other church scenes at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
