Artwork
Sygebesøg hos det gamle tyende
Sygebesøg hos det gamle tyende is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Frederik Vermehren. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Frederik Vermehren’s 1892 oil painting *Sygebesøg hos det gamle tyende* portrays a modest interior scene featuring three women and a cat. Rendered in a subdued palette, the work captures a moment of quiet activity, with the figures arranged around a table and a basket, evoking a sense of domestic calm.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a seated woman in a dark, paisley‑patterned dress, a kneeling figure holding a basket, and a third woman standing behind, also with a basket. A cat rests nearby, while a table holds a book and glasses. The arrangement suggests a routine visit or service, emphasizing everyday labor and the gentle rhythm of household tasks.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting displays post‑impressionist tendencies through its loose brushwork and emphasis on atmospheric color over strict realism. Vermehren’s handling of light softens the interior, and the muted tones lend the scene a contemplative mood while still rendering details of clothing and furnishings with care.
History & Provenance
Created during the later phase of Vermehren’s career, the work aligns with his broader interest in rural and domestic genre scenes. It entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the national holdings of 19th‑century Danish art.
Context
The painting belongs to a series of idealized domestic scenes that contributed to the 19th‑century Danish national romantic movement. By focusing on ordinary people and their environments, Vermehren helped shape a visual narrative of Danish identity rooted in everyday life and modest virtue.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
