Artwork

A Wounded Workman

A Wounded Workman, by Erik Henningsen, oil, 1898
A Wounded Workman, by Erik Henningsen, oil, 1898

A Wounded Workman is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Erik Henningsen. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

A Wounded Workman is an oil painting created by Erik Henningsen in 1898. It is a representative work of the artist's focus on the lives of ordinary people and is held in the Statens Museum for Kunst.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a group of men tending to a wounded workman in an outdoor setting with a factory or construction site in the background. The scene conveys a sense of concern and gravity, highlighting the risks and hardships faced by workers.

Technique & Style

Henningsen's use of muted colors and somber lighting creates a somber atmosphere. The painting's chiaroscuro technique, characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and volume to the scene, underscoring the Post-Impressionist influences on the work.

Context

The painting is a product of Henningsen's engagement with Social Realism, a movement that sought to represent the lives and struggles of marginalized groups. Created in 1898, it reflects the artist's ongoing concern with the social issues of his time.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Erik Henningsen

Artist

Erik Henningsen

Erik Ludvig Henningsen (29 August 1855 – 28 November 1930) was a Danish painter and illustrator.