Artwork
Portrait of the Marine Painter

Portrait of the Marine Painter 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 oil portrait depicts a male artist identified as a marine painter.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1850, this oil portrait depicts a male artist identified as a marine painter. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as a representative example of mid‑nineteenth‑century self‑portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown with a receding hairline, spectacles, and a brown vest over a black shirt and tie. He holds a palette and brushes, indicating his profession, while a light‑coloured jacket rests on his left arm. The composition foregrounds his face and hands, emphasizing the act of painting itself.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated facial features and hands with a dark green backdrop. This lighting scheme creates a three‑dimensional effect, directing attention to the sitter’s expression and tools. The handling of paint on the palette and the subtle modeling of the vest reveal a careful, realistic approach.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the painter known as 33245_person, the portrait has been in the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings since its acquisition, though the exact path of ownership before entering the museum is not recorded in the available documentation.
Artist & collection

















