Artwork
A Duet
A Duet is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Peder Severin Krøyer. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition combines domestic interior details with musical activity, suggesting a private moment of artistic exchange between the couple.
The painting shows Marie Krøyer seated at a grand piano, a lit candle casting light on her and the instrument, while a singer stands nearby. The composition combines domestic interior details with musical activity, suggesting a private moment of artistic exchange between the couple. The candle’s glow and the presence of sheet music evoke intimacy and the fleeting nature of performance, while the piano and singer reference the cultural leisure of the late 19th‑century Danish bourgeoisie.
Together these elements convey a sense of shared creative purpose and the intimate setting of the Krøyer household.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1887, A Duet is an oil painting on canvas by Peder Severin Krøyer. The work measures 106 cm in height and 93 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece functions as a group portrait depicting a singer, identified as Marie Krøyer, alongside a grand piano and a candle. These elements combine to create an intimate interior scene characteristic of the artist's portraiture from this period.
History & Provenance
A Duet was painted by Peder Severin Krøyer in 1887 as an oil on canvas measuring 106 cm by 93 cm. The composition shows Marie Krøyer singing at a grand piano illuminated by a candle.
According to the documented history, the painting was created as a portrait and entered the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst shortly after its completion, where it remains on display. No evidence of a separate commission or sale is recorded; the work is listed in the museum’s holdings from its inception. The dating of 1887 is confirmed by both the artist’s catalogue entry and the museum’s provenance record.
The painting A Duet is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is also located. Created in 1887, the work depicts a group portrait featuring a singer, a grand piano, and a candle, with Marie Krøyer identified among the subjects.
Overview
Peder Severin Krøyer's "A Duet," an oil painting from 1894, captures an intimate interior scene. The artwork, held at the Statens Museum for Kunst, portrays a social gathering in a dimly lit room. Figures are illuminated by various light sources, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.
The painting is notable for its evocative portrayal of light and shadow, characteristic of Krøyer's work during this period.
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