Artwork
En orientalsk scene
En orientalsk scene is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Cornelius Hoeyer. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1790 by Danish artist Cornelius Høyer, *En orientalsk scene* is a small‑scale oil painting that belongs to the Rococo period. The work is part of the permanent collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst and exemplifies Høyer’s reputation for finely detailed miniature compositions.
Subject & Meaning
The picture presents an intimate interior where three women occupy a dimly lit room. The figure on the left sits, holding a long, slender object that may be a cane or a ceremonial sword; the central woman stands facing the viewer, while the third stands with her back turned. Each figure appears absorbed in a private activity, suggesting a quiet, contemplative moment of everyday life.
Technique & Style
Høyer employs the delicate brushwork and pastel palette typical of Rococo genre scenes, contrasting a darkened background with lighter tones on the figures and furnishings. The precision of the rendering, especially in the textures of clothing and the slender object, reflects the artist’s skill in miniature painting, where fine detail is paramount.
History & Provenance
After its completion in the late eighteenth century, the painting entered the holdings of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader effort to represent Danish Rococo art and to preserve works by notable miniature painters such as Høyer.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelius Høyer (26 February 1741 – 2 June 1804) was a Danish painter, mainly known for his work in miniatures. Within his special trade, he was among the virtuosos of his day and won an international reputation.
