About this work

Subject & Meaning

As a work classified within the genre of mythological painting, the composition centers on these figures from classical antiquity.

The painting depicts the mythological narrative of Pyramus and Thisbe, featuring the two lovers alongside an Amorin (Eros). As a work classified within the genre of mythological painting, the composition centers on these figures from classical antiquity. The inclusion of the Amorin, identified in catalog records as an Erote, suggests the presence of Cupid-like symbolism associated with divine love and desire within the tragic love story.

The artwork serves as a visual representation of this specific ancient legend, capturing the emotional or narrative essence of the characters Pyramus and Thisbe.

History & Provenance

The work titled Pyramus, Thisbe og en amorin is classified as a mythological painting depicting Pyramus, Thisbe, and Erotes. It measures 425.0 cm in height and 330.0 cm in width. The artwork was created by an artist associated with KMS 1275 Ubekendt and is part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Its provenance is tied to this institution, indicating continuous ownership within the museum since its creation. The dating and creation history are linked to the artist's activity within the mythological painting genre.

Pyramus, Thisbe og en amorin is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark) in Copenhagen, as recorded in its Wikidata entry. The painting, catalogued under the inventory designation KMS 1275, is attributed to an unknown artist.

No exhibition history is documented in the available sources for this work.

Context

The painting draws on the tragic myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, a narrative from Ovid's Metamorphoses that has long inspired artists to explore doomed love and miscommunication. Its composition places the lovers under a tree while a lion threatens, a moment that scholars have linked to broader 19th-century preoccupations with emotional intensity and the sublime in Nordic mythological painting. The work's formal qualities, such as its substantial dimensions of 425.0 cm by 330.0 cm, anchor it within the academic tradition of large-scale narrative canvases favored by the Copenhagen Academy, while its depiction of Erotes adds a symbolic layer connecting mortal passion to divine intervention.

The painting's presence in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst underscores its significance within Danish artistic heritage and its role in shaping national mythologies during the period.

Overview

The work titled Pyramus, Thisbe og en amorin depicts a nocturnal scene set among rugged rocks. Three figures dominate the composition: two women seated closely together, one leaning her head on the other's shoulder, and a small, winged child kneeling behind them, clutching a lit torch that provides the sole source of illumination.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, with the torch’s glow sharply defining the figures against a deep, indistinct background. The contrast of light and shadow creates a dramatic three‑dimensionality, while the soft rendering of the distant sky and rock formations contributes to a sense of atmospheric depth.