Artwork
Kongernes tilbedelse

Kongernes tilbedelse is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Kongernes tilbedelse, attributed to the artist identified as 37467_person, dates to around 1750. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and is presented as a monochrome image depicting a small group of figures in a low‑light interior.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows five individuals, among them a woman in a dark garment cradling an infant and a bearded, crowned elder leaning over a figure on the floor. The arrangement of the crown and the tender gesture toward the child suggest a theme of reverence or familial devotion, though the precise narrative remains open to interpretation.
Technique & Style
Rendered in black and white, the image relies on strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the forms. The chiaroscuro effect creates a three‑dimensional impression, with deep shadows accentuating folds in clothing and facial features, while illuminated areas bring the central figures forward.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1750, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. No further details about its acquisition or prior ownership are recorded in the available documentation.
Context
The work belongs to a period when European artists increasingly employed dramatic lighting to convey emotional intensity. Its subject matter aligns with contemporary interests in portraying intimate, often religious or ceremonial, scenes within a domestic setting.
Artist & collection



















