Artwork
Henrik og Pernille, III akt, 13. scene
Henrik og Pernille, III akt, 13. scene is an oil painting by Christian August Lorentzen. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
The work captures a moment from a dramatic narrative, arranging several figures in period costume within a dimly lit interior.
Christian August Lorentzen’s 1815 oil on canvas, titled Henrik og Pernille, III akt, 13. scene, is part of the collection at Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst. The work captures a moment from a dramatic narrative, arranging several figures in period costume within a dimly lit interior. A central female figure in a pale dress dominates the composition, while a kneeling male gazes upward toward her.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the thirteenth scene of the third act of the play Henrik og Pernille, focusing on an emotionally charged encounter. The woman’s illuminated attire and the kneeling man’s upward glance suggest a moment of pleading or revelation, while surrounding onlookers raise their hands, heightening the sense of collective tension and anticipation within the narrative.
Technique & Style
Lorentzen employs a restrained palette of dark backgrounds contrasted with the luminous dress of the heroine, creating chiaroscuro that emphasizes the central drama. The brushwork is smooth and detailed, particularly in the rendering of period garments and facial expressions, allowing the viewer to read the psychological intensity of each figure.
History & Provenance
Executed in 1815, the canvas entered the holdings of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving early‑19th‑century Danish genre painting and the theatrical subjects that were popular in Lorentzen’s oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christian August Lorentzen (1749–1828) was an artist, born in Sønderborg.
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