Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Frederik Vermehren in 1852.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Nationalmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Biedermeier.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Frederik Vermehren , 1852

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Frederik Vermehren. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Frederik Vermehren’s *Portrait of a Woman* (1852) is an oil on canvas executed in the Biedermeier aesthetic that dominated Denmark’s Golden Age of Painting. The work is part of the Nationalmuseum’s holdings and exemplifies the artist’s focus on realistic, everyday subjects rendered with a restrained, domestic sensibility.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a dark‑haired woman whose hair is divided centrally and gathered into a modest low bun. She wears a dark jacket trimmed with a white lace collar and a prominent oval brooch, while her gaze meets the viewer directly, conveying a sober, introspective demeanor that hints at personal dignity rather than overt narrative.

Technique & Style

Vermehren employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing the dark background to recede and the figure to emerge with clear modelling. The delicate handling of light on the lace collar and brooch creates a tactile sense of texture, while the restrained palette and precise brushwork reflect the Biedermeier preference for clarity, modesty, and domestic realism.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1852, the portrait entered the Nationalmuseum’s collection, where it remains on display. Vermehren, known for genre scenes and portraiture, contributed to Denmark’s national romantic narrative by portraying ordinary citizens with an idealized yet truthful approach, situating this work within the broader cultural project of the Danish Golden Age.

Artist & collection

Artist

Frederik Vermehren

Johan Frederik (Frits) Nikolai Vermehren, also known as Frederik Vermehren (12 May 1823 – 10 January 1910), a genre and portrait painter in the realist style.