Artwork
Hersilia
Hersilia is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Fritz Thomsen. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Fritz Thomsen’s 1847 oil painting titled Hersilia is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst. Executed in the mid‑nineteenth century, the work presents a single brown horse situated within a modest barn interior, rendered in oil on canvas.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a brown horse standing amid the wooden walls and hay‑strewn floor of a barn. The animal faces left while turning its head toward the viewer, creating a quiet, observational moment that emphasizes the creature’s presence within a utilitarian space.
Technique & Style
Thomsen employs a careful handling of light to give the horse’s coat a glossy, reflective quality, suggesting a polished finish that catches ambient illumination. The contrast between the bright, gleaming animal and the subdued, earthy tones of the barn demonstrates a restrained use of chiaroscuro to model form.
History & Provenance
Created in 1847, Hersilia entered the holdings of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. The painting’s provenance traces directly to the museum’s acquisition records, confirming its continuous public ownership since the nineteenth century.
Artist & collection
