Who painted Christian II?

Christian II was painted by Unknown in 1861.

Where can I see Christian II?

Christian II is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Christian II?

Christian II is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Christian II

Unknown , 1861

Christian II is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Christian II is a photographic portrait produced in 1861 by the artist recorded as 645_person. The image is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a solitary figure against an unadorned dark backdrop, drawing the viewer’s focus to the subject’s attire and accessories.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is dressed in a dark hat and a fur‑trimmed robe, with a white shirt visible beneath a gold chain. A red sash with a small pouch encircles his waist, and he holds a cane in one hand while a folded paper rests in the other. The costume suggests a portrayal of a historical or aristocratic individual, though no explicit identification is provided.

Technique & Style

Captured as a black‑and‑white photograph, the work employs chiaroscuro lighting to isolate the figure from the background. The plain, dark setting eliminates distractions, emphasizing texture in the fur lining and the gleam of metal elements. The composition reflects a realist approach to portraiture common in mid‑nineteenth‑century photography.

History & Provenance

Created in 1861, the photograph entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to 645_person remains the sole documented authorship, and the work has been catalogued under the title Christian II, indicating a possible reference to the Danish monarch, though this remains conjectural.

Context

The image emerges from a period when photography was increasingly used to document historical dress and personages. By staging the subject in period costume, the photographer aligns with contemporary interests in ethnographic and historical representation, a practice reflected in museum collections of the era.