Artwork
Portrait of Cathrine Jensen, née Lorenzen, the Artist's Wife Wearing a Turban
Portrait of Cathrine Jensen, née Lorenzen, the Artist's Wife Wearing a Turban is an oil painting by the Realist artist Christian Albrecht Jensen. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Christian Albrecht Jensen, a leading Danish portraitist of the Golden Age, painted this oil portrait in 1842. The work presents his wife, Cathrine Jensen (née Lorenzen), dressed in a turban, dark green gown, and a brown shawl, set against a deep background that emphasizes her features. The painting is part of the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is rendered with a calm, neutral expression, her gaze turned slightly to the right. Her attire—a turban, pearl necklace, and refined garments—conveys a sense of personal elegance and the fashionable sensibilities of the period, while the small object she holds adds a hint of intimacy to the composition.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, Jensen employs a realistic approach characteristic of mid‑19th‑century Danish portraiture. Careful modeling of light on the fabric and skin, together with a muted, dark backdrop, creates a three‑dimensional presence. The brushwork is precise, especially in the rendering of the turban’s folds and the subtle sheen of the pearls.
History & Provenance
Created during Jensen’s prolific middle period, the portrait reflects his focus on intimate family subjects alongside his many public commissions. After remaining in the artist’s possession, it entered the national collection and is now displayed at Statens Museum for Kunst, where it contributes to the museum’s representation of Danish Golden Age portraiture.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Christian Albrecht Jensen (26 June 1792 – 13 July 1870) was a Danish painter who specialised in portrait painting and was active during the Danish Golden Age.
