Artwork
Queen Christina in Palazzo Corsini
Queen Christina in Palazzo Corsini is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Kristian Zahrtmann. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a history painting executed in oil on canvas, the work treats her as a historical subject, presenting a narrative scene drawn from her life.
The painting depicts Christina of Sweden, queen regnant who abdicated in 1654 and later lived in exile. As a history painting executed in oil on canvas, the work treats her as a historical subject, presenting a narrative scene drawn from her life. The sources identify her as the figure shown, but do not elaborate on specific iconographic attributes or symbolic details. As a history painting, the work belongs to a genre that depicts notable historical figures or events.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 150 cm in width and 105 cm in height. The handling is consistent with late 19th- to early 20th-century Scandinavian academic practice, emphasizing smooth brushwork and careful modeling of light and shadow to convey volume and texture. The composition situates the subject within an interior setting, using controlled highlights on costume and furnishings to anchor the figure while maintaining a subdued palette that emphasizes historical authenticity.
History & Provenance
The history painting Queen Christina in Palazzo Corsini was created by Kristian Zahrtmann in 1908. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 105 cm in height and 150 cm in width. It depicts Christina of Sweden and belongs to the history painting genre. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
Overview
Kristian Zahrtmann’s 1908 oil painting, Queen Christina in Palazzo Corsini, portrays the former Swedish monarch seated amid a richly appointed interior. The composition centers on Christina, dressed in a deep blue gown, holding an open book and a small sculpture, while a gentleman in elaborate attire leans toward her. Surrounding figures in vivid costumes observe the scene, their presence accentuated by patterned tiled walls and shimmering light that highlights the sumptuous fabrics.
Context
Zahrtmann, a prominent figure among Danish painters who rejected the Academic and Golden Age conventions, focused on historic subjects, particularly strong women from the nation’s past. This painting exemplifies his interest in portraying such personalities with psychological depth, aligning with contemporary shifts toward realism and naturalistic representation in European art at the turn of the century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Peder Henrik Kristian Zahrtmann, known as Kristian Zahrtmann, (31 March 1843 – 22 June 1917) was a Danish painter.
