Who painted Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder?

Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder was painted by Unknown in 1846.

Where can I see Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder?

Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder?

Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder

Unknown , 1846

Johanne Marie Gertner, f. Lassen, kunstnerens moder is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. This 1846 photograph depicts Johanne Marie Gertner, née Lassen, the mother of the artist.

About this work

Overview

Rendered in monochrome, the image captures her in quiet stillness, dressed in modest attire typical of mid-19th-century Danish women.

This 1846 photograph depicts Johanne Marie Gertner, née Lassen, the mother of the artist. Rendered in monochrome, the image captures her in quiet stillness, dressed in modest attire typical of mid-19th-century Danish women. The photograph’s soft focus and faded tonality reflect the limitations and aesthetic of early photographic processes. It is preserved in the Museum of Ethnography as an early example of personal portraiture in photographic form.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, the artist’s mother, is portrayed with dignity and restraint, reflecting familial reverence rather than public display. Her white lace cap and high-collared dress signify propriety and age, while her calm expression conveys inner composure. Unlike formal portraits of the era, this image carries intimate familiarity, suggesting a private moment preserved through the new medium of photography.

Technique & Style

Executed using an early photographic method, likely a daguerreotype or calotype, the image exhibits subtle tonal gradations and a muted texture. The lighting is gentle, modeling the contours of the face with soft shadows, enhancing the sense of quiet realism. The slightly faded appearance results from chemical aging, not artistic intent, underscoring the material fragility of early photographic prints.

History & Provenance

Created in 1846, the photograph was likely made shortly after the public introduction of photographic technology in Denmark. It remained within the artist’s family before entering the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Its preservation as a personal artifact rather than a public commission highlights its role as a domestic relic of early photographic practice.

Context

In the mid-1800s, photography was emerging as a tool for documenting individuals beyond aristocratic portraiture. While Romanticism emphasized emotion and nature in painting, this photograph reflects a quieter, more intimate shift toward personal memory. The depiction of an ordinary woman, not a public figure, signals photography’s growing role in capturing everyday life.

Legacy

As one of the earliest photographic portraits of a non-public figure in Denmark, it represents a turning point in how individuals were visually recorded. Its survival offers insight into domestic life and the adoption of new technology by middle-class families. The image stands as a quiet testament to the personal significance photography soon acquired in private spheres.