Artwork

Domorganist i Roskilde, professor Hans Matthison-Hansen,kunstnerens svigerfader

Domorganist i Roskilde, professor Hans Matthison-Hansen,kunstnerens svigerfader is an oil painting by the Realist artist August Jerndorff. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

August Jerndorff’s 1872 oil painting portrays a seated organist, captured in a moment of poised concentration. The figure, dressed in a dark coat and beret with a white shirt beneath, rests his hands over the organ’s keys while his gaze looks to the right. Behind him, the organ’s pipework and a muted green backdrop with drapery complete the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work represents the cathedral organist of Roskilde, identified as Professor Hans Matthison‑Hansen, who also served as the artist’s father‑in‑law. By focusing on the musician’s attentive posture and the subtle play of light on his attire, Jerndorff emphasizes the solemnity and dedication inherent in liturgical music performance.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting demonstrates Jerndorff’s attention to chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model the organist’s face and clothing. The muted green background and restrained palette keep the viewer’s focus on the figure, while the detailed rendering of the organ’s pipes adds a sense of spatial depth.

History & Provenance

Created in 1872, the portrait entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving 19th‑century Danish portraiture and documenting notable cultural figures of the period.