Who painted Nanna og hendes moder?

Nanna og hendes moder was painted by Unknown in 1897.

Where can I see Nanna og hendes moder?

Nanna og hendes moder is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Nanna og hendes moder?

Nanna og hendes moder is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Nanna og hendes moder

Unknown , 1897

Nanna og hendes moder is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Painted in 1897 by P.

About this work

Overview

Painted in 1897 by P.S. Krøyer, this work portrays two women in a private, unguarded moment. The painting is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography in Copenhagen. Its subdued palette and intimate composition reflect the artist’s interest in domestic scenes and psychological nuance. The lack of elaborate setting directs focus to the figures and their silent connection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a mother and daughter, their proximity suggesting emotional closeness. The elder woman, in a dark dress and red hat, rests her hand gently on the younger, who wears a deep green garment. No narrative action is shown; instead, the scene conveys quiet companionship, evoking themes of familial bond and the passage of time through stillness rather than gesture.

Technique & Style

Krøyer employed loose, visible brushwork to model form and texture, avoiding smooth finishes in favor of tactile surface variation. The dark background, rendered in layered neutrals, isolates the figures and enhances their presence. Color is restrained but deliberate—red and green accents draw the eye without disrupting the somber harmony, reinforcing the painting’s introspective tone.

History & Provenance

Created during Krøyer’s period of heightened focus on intimate portraiture, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection in the early 20th century.

Created during Krøyer’s period of heightened focus on intimate portraiture, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection in the early 20th century. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in documenting Scandinavian domestic life. Unlike his more famous coastal scenes, this piece remained relatively private, rarely exhibited until later scholarly reassessments of his oeuvre.

Context

In late 19th-century Denmark, domestic interiors became a favored subject among artists exploring psychological realism. Krøyer, influenced by French Impressionism and Danish naturalism, turned away from grand narratives to capture quiet moments between individuals. This work aligns with broader cultural shifts toward valuing private life and emotional authenticity over public spectacle.

Legacy

Though less known than Krøyer’s beach and social scenes, 'Nanna og hendes moder' contributes to understanding his range as a portraitist. It has been referenced in studies of Nordic gender roles and familial representation in art. Its quiet power continues to inform contemporary interpretations of intimacy in late 19th-century painting, particularly in Scandinavian contexts.