Artwork
Elias opvækker enkens søn fra de døde
Elias opvækker enkens søn fra de døde is an oil painting by Ferdinand Wolfgang Flachenecker. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Elias opvækker enkens søn fra de døde is an oil painting executed in 1812 by the Danish artist Ferdinand Wolfgang Flachenecker. The work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is displayed among the museum’s holdings of early‑19th‑century religious art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays the biblical episode in which the prophet Elijah revives the son of the widow of Zarephath. Elijah, an elderly figure with a flowing beard, cradles the infant while extending his hand toward the kneeling widow, whose gaze is directed upward, suggesting a moment of divine intervention and hope.
Technique & Style
Flachenecker employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, concentrating light on the faces of the three figures and allowing the surrounding interior to recede into shadow. The modest furnishings—a table, bench, and a jar—are rendered with restrained detail, emphasizing the emotional focus on the central characters rather than on decorative elements.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 19th century, the painting entered the national collection of Denmark and is now housed at the Statens Museum for Kunst. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in documenting religious narrative painting from the period and preserving works by lesser‑known Danish artists.
Context
The subject derives from the Old Testament story found in 1 Kings 17, a popular motif for artists seeking to illustrate themes of faith, miracles, and compassion. In the early 1800s, such biblical scenes were frequently commissioned for private devotion or public exhibition, aligning with contemporary interests in moral instruction through art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand Wolfgang Flachenecker
Ferdinand Wolfgang Flachenecker (1792–1847) was an artist, born in Zirndorf.
