Artwork
Portrait of the Artist´s Infant Son Peter

Portrait of the Artist´s Infant Son Peter is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1850, this intimate portrait depicts the infant son of the artist, identified as Peter.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1850, this intimate portrait depicts the infant son of the artist, identified as Peter. Executed by the hand of 1117_person, the work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition focuses tightly on the child, set against a dark, unadorned backdrop that isolates his features.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is a young boy with pale skin, light‑colored short hair, and striking blue eyes. He wears a dark red collar that frames his face, emphasizing his solemn expression. The painting captures a moment of parental affection and the artist’s personal concern, presenting the child as both a private figure and a symbol of familial continuity.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a delicate sfumato, blending tones to achieve a soft, smoky transition especially around the eyes and cheeks. This method renders the skin with a subtle luminosity, while the restrained palette and smooth modeling give the portrait a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. The dark background further heightens the contrast and focus on the boy’s visage.
History & Provenance
Attributed to 1117_person, the work dates to the mid‑nineteenth century and has remained within institutional holdings, currently displayed at the Museum of Ethnography. Its acquisition history is not extensively documented, but the piece has been recognized as a representative example of personal portraiture from the period.
Artist & collection
















