Who painted En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken?

En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken was painted by Bernhard Keil in 1657.

Where can I see En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken?

En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken?

En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken

Bernhard Keil , 1657

En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Bernhard Keil. It dates from 1657 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Bernhard Keil’s 1657 oil painting, titled *En pige og en dreng, der varmer sig ved et kulbækken*, depicts a quiet domestic moment. The work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen and belongs to the genre‑painting tradition of the mid‑seventeenth century.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents two children gathered around a small metal bowl containing glowing coals. One child is swathed in a gray blanket, head bowed, while the other, dressed in a red coat and hat, leans forward, his hands hovering near the heat. Their solemn expressions convey a sense of hardship and the simple necessity of warmth.

Technique & Style

Keil employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting the warm, flickering light of the coals with a deep, muted background. This handling of light creates a three‑dimensional effect, emphasizing the texture of the blanket, the sheen of the metal bowl, and the delicate facial features of the youngsters.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1657, the work remained in private hands before entering the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings. The museum acquired it as part of its effort to represent Northern European genre scenes from the Baroque period, ensuring its preservation and public accessibility.

Context

Keil, a Danish‑born painter active in the Dutch artistic milieu, often focused on everyday life, drawing influence from Rembrandt’s use of light and shadow. This painting reflects the broader seventeenth‑century interest in portraying ordinary people with dignity, highlighting domestic resilience amid modest circumstances.