Artwork
Over midnat
Over midnat is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Over midnat, produced in 1894 by the artist known as 222_person, is a monochrome image preserved in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work captures a solitary figure seated in a dim interior, surrounded by books and modest objects, and is rendered in stark black‑and‑white tones that emphasize the quiet atmosphere of the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents an individual bent over a table, engaged with a lamp, a stack of volumes, and glass jars. Shelves laden with additional books line the background, suggesting a scholarly or contemplative setting. The half‑lit face and hands draw attention to a moment of focused attention, evoking a sense of introspection and quiet study.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a high‑contrast black‑and‑white palette, the image employs chiaroscuro to model form through light and shadow. A single, small light source illuminates the subject’s face and hands, while the surrounding darkness recedes, creating soft shadows that define the space. The simplicity of the visual language underscores the intimate mood without decorative excess.
History & Provenance
Created at the close of the 19th century, Over midnat entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings, where it remains part of the institution’s photographic archive. The work is attributed to 222_person, an artist active during this period, and has been documented as part of the museum’s collection since its acquisition, though specific acquisition details are not publicly recorded.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
