Artwork

Amalie Elisabeth Freund, f. von Würden. Billedhuggeren H. E. Freunds hustru

Amalie Elisabeth Freund, f. von Würden. Billedhuggeren H. E. Freunds hustru is an oil painting by the Realist artist P. C. Skovgaard. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Amalie Elisabeth Freund, f.

About this work

Overview

Amalie Elisabeth Freund, f. von Würden. Billedhuggeren H. E. Freunds hustru is an 1860 oil-on-canvas portrait by P. C. Skovgaard, a prominent figure of Denmark’s Golden Age of Painting. The work depicts the artist’s wife, Amalie Elisabeth Freund, in a realist style.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait focuses on Amalie Elisabeth Freund, the artist’s wife, capturing her in a contemplative pose. Her calm expression and direct gaze convey a sense of serenity. The composition emphasizes her individuality, set against a somber backdrop.

Technique & Style

Skovgaard employed realist techniques, meticulously rendering the play of light on Amalie’s face and attire. The vivid red shawl, set against a dark dress and background, draws the viewer’s attention through strategic contrast, highlighting the subject’s presence.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1860, the portrait is part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst, testifying to Skovgaard’s contribution to Danish art heritage.

Context

While primarily a landscape painter, Skovgaard’s portraits, like this one, demonstrate his ability to capture intimate, realistic depictions of individuals, contrasting with the broader vistas of his landscapes.

Artist & collection

Artist

P. C. Skovgaard

Peter Christian Thamsen Skovgaard (4 April 1817 – 13 April 1875), known as P. C. Skovgaard, was a Danish national romantic landscape painter. He is considered one of the leading landscape painters of the 19th century…