Artwork
Christian II of Denmark
Christian II of Denmark is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Poul Hagelstein. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
The name at the top reads Christierne Roy de Dinnemarc, which likely means this is King Christian II of Denmark.
This painting shows a man in fancy clothes, standing tall against a dark background. He’s wearing a red robe with gold chains, a white shirt, and a black hat. His beard is thick, and he holds a red sash in one hand while resting the other on a small table. The colors are rich, deep reds, golds, and dark shadows make him stand out.
The name at the top reads Christierne Roy de Dinnemarc, which likely means this is King Christian II of Denmark. The painting looks old but was actually made in 1861, long after he lived.
If you like this style, check out the technique: chiaroscuro.
Subject & Meaning
Christian II of Denmark is shown as the sole figure in this oil-on-canvas portrait by Poul Hagelstein. The work presents the king in a straightforward likeness, emphasizing his regal presence without additional allegorical elements. As a portrait, its primary meaning is to commemorate and visually record the monarch’s appearance, serving as a historical record of his identity and status. The painting’s focus on the sitter’s face and attire underscores its commemorative intent.
Technique & Style
Christian II of Denmark is a portrait executed in oil paint on canvas by Poul Hagelstein, dated 1861. The work measures 136 cm in height and 99 cm in width and is classified as a painting in the portrait genre. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.
Oil paint permits layered application and subtle blending, enabling the careful modeling of flesh tones and fabric details.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Christian II of Denmark was created in 1861 by the artist Poul Hagelstein. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 136 cm in height and 99 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it resides as a portrait depicting the historical figure.
No further details regarding the specific commissioning patron or the precise chain of ownership prior to its current institutional home are provided in the available records.
The painting is held by the Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark, which is listed as both its collection and its location. The work is catalogued within that national collection as an oil-on-canvas portrait painted by Poul Hagelstein in 1861.
No accession number is recorded in the available sources, and the provided documentation does not include any exhibition history or loan records for the work.
Overview
Poul Hagelstein’s oil portrait, executed in 1861, presents a full‑length figure identified as Christian II, King of Denmark. The work belongs to the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery (Statens Museum for Kunst). Though the sitter lived in the early sixteenth century, the painting reflects nineteenth‑century historicist interests in national monarchs.
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Artist & collection
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