Who painted Refshaleøen. The Copenhagen Harbour?

Refshaleøen. The Copenhagen Harbour was painted by Unknown in 1907.

Where can I see Refshaleøen. The Copenhagen Harbour?

Refshaleøen. The Copenhagen Harbour is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Refshaleøen. The Copenhagen Harbour

Unknown , 1907

Refshaleøen. The Copenhagen Harbour is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The image entitled “Refshaleøen.

About this work

Overview

The image entitled “Refshaleøen. The Copenhagen Harbour” dates from 1907 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It records a snapshot of an active early‑twentieth‑century port on the island of Refshaleøen, showing the interplay of water, vessels and industrial architecture in a calm yet industrious setting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a wooden quay crowded with small craft, their hulls laden with timber, fish or other cargo. A tall timber crane rises beside the water, indicating the site’s role in loading and unloading goods. In the distance, low‑rise buildings emit thin plumes of smoke, suggesting nearby manufacturing or heating activities that sustain the harbor’s commercial life.

Technique & Style

Captured as a photographic print, the work employs a balanced perspective that draws the eye from the foreground dock to the background skyline. The muted tonal range emphasizes texture—the weathered wood of the pier, the smooth surface of the water, and the faint outlines of smokestacks—while the quiet lighting conveys a sense of stillness amid routine activity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1907 by the photographer identified as 33325_person, the image entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its preservation within an ethnographic context underscores the photograph’s value as a visual document of everyday labor and urban infrastructure in early twentieth‑century Copenhagen.