Artwork

Queen Caroline Mathilde of Denmark with crown prince Frederik. Second sketch.

Queen Caroline Mathilde of Denmark with crown prince Frederik. Second sketch. is a watercolor painting by Peder Als. It dates from 1771 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1771, this watercolor by Danish artist Peder Als presents a domestic scene featuring Queen Caroline Mathilde of Denmark and her son, Crown Prince Frederik. The work is catalogued as the second sketch of the subject and is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows the queen seated in a green chair, dressed in a pink gown with a white head covering, while the young prince stands beside her, hand in hand. The intimate setting, with a vase of flowers on the table and a large window framed by a green curtain, conveys a sense of familial affection and courtly refinement.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, Als employs delicate washes to render the soft textures of fabric, skin, and interior furnishings. The palette balances pastel pinks and greens, while fine linear detail defines the figures and architectural elements, reflecting the late‑Baroque sensibility of Danish court portraiture.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced as a preparatory sketch for a larger portrait commission and remained in Als's studio before entering the national collection. It now resides in the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark's principal art museum, where it is displayed among works of 18th‑century Danish painting.