Who painted At a Deathbed?

At a Deathbed was painted by Unknown in 1850.

Where can I see At a Deathbed?

At a Deathbed is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

At a Deathbed

At a Deathbed is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

At a Deathbed, attributed to the artist known as 1021_person, dates to around 1850 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The image captures a somber interior where a small group attends to a bedridden figure, emphasizing a moment of quiet attention.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a person lying in a modestly furnished bed, swathed in blankets, while three others stand or lean nearby. The arrangement suggests a ritual of care or farewell, with the participants’ focus directed toward the ailing individual, underscoring themes of mortality and communal support.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a low‑key palette, the photograph employs strong contrasts between shadowed walls and the warm glow of a candle on the floor. This chiaroscuro effect creates depth and draws the eye to the illuminated figures, while the plain background and sparse furnishings reinforce the intimate atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1850, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to 1021_person remains based on stylistic analysis and archival records linking the artist to mid‑nineteenth‑century documentary photography.

Context

The image reflects a period when photographic practice began to document everyday life and private moments, moving beyond formal portraiture. Its focus on a domestic scene of illness aligns with contemporary interests in social realism and the visual recording of human experience.