Who painted Kvinde med en åben bog, der holdes af en engel?

Kvinde med en åben bog, der holdes af en engel was painted by Unknown.

Where can I see Kvinde med en åben bog, der holdes af en engel?

Kvinde med en åben bog, der holdes af en engel is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Kvinde med en åben bog, der holdes af en engel

Kvinde med en åben bog, der holdes af en engel is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work portrays a seated woman holding an open volume titled “Timor Domini.

About this work

Overview

The work portrays a seated woman holding an open volume titled “Timor Domini.” A cherubic figure stands behind her, also touching the book and indicating its text. The woman wears a flowing dress, while the cherub is nude save for a draped cloth over one shoulder. The background is rendered in deep tones, creating a sense of spatial depth and a contemplative mood.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a mortal figure with a celestial attendant, suggesting a dialogue between human learning and divine guidance. The presence of the book, whose title translates to “Fear of the Lord,” points to a religious or moral theme, reinforced by the reverent posture of the woman and the instructional gesture of the cherub.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painter employs chiaroscuro to model the figures against a dark backdrop, allowing the illuminated forms to emerge with subtle gradations of light. The drapery and flesh are rendered with smooth, almost idealized brushwork, while the background’s muted shading suggests an atmospheric perspective.

History & Provenance

The painting’s provenance is not fully documented, but its subject matter and stylistic traits align with Northern European devotional art of the late 17th to early 18th centuries, when allegorical representations of learning under angelic protection were common.

Context

During the period in which such works were produced, books symbolized both scholarly pursuit and spiritual instruction. The inclusion of a cherub—a frequent emblem of divine inspiration—reflects contemporary theological ideas that knowledge should be guided by heavenly influence.

Legacy

While not widely reproduced, the image exemplifies the era’s integration of religious symbolism with portraiture, illustrating how artists conveyed moral instruction through intimate, domestic scenes.