Who painted Kristus og synderinden?

Kristus og synderinden was painted by Christian August Lorentzen in 1798.

Where can I see Kristus og synderinden?

Kristus og synderinden is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Kristus og synderinden?

Kristus og synderinden is associated with Neoclassicism.

Artwork

Kristus og synderinden

Christian August Lorentzen , 1798

Kristus og synderinden is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Christian August Lorentzen. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Christian August Lorentzen’s oil painting ‘Kristus og synderinden’, executed in 1798, presents a biblical encounter between Jesus and a woman identified as a sinner. The work is part of the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, and exemplifies the artist’s late‑18th‑century religious genre.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on Christ, positioned on the left, extending his right hand toward the woman, whose gesture of raising her hand to her face suggests repentance or pleading. The juxtaposition of the holy figure with the penitent female underscores themes of forgiveness and moral redemption common in Lutheran visual culture.

Technique & Style

Rendered in oil on canvas, Lorentzen employs a restrained palette of muted tones, creating a somber atmosphere. Figures are delineated with modest chiaroscuro; the background contains indistinct male onlookers, their bearded faces and cloaks adding depth without distracting from the central interaction.

History & Provenance

Completed at the close of the 18th century, the painting entered the holdings of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on Danish art of the Enlightenment period and the preservation of Lorentzen’s religious oeuvre.

Context

Created during a period when Danish art was increasingly influenced by Neoclassical ideals, the work merges classical compositional balance with a Protestant moral narrative. Lorentzen, known for both portraiture and history painting, applied his academic training to convey a didactic scene drawn from the New Testament.