Artwork
Maleren Theodor Philipsen
Maleren Theodor Philipsen is an oil painting by Peter Hansen. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Peter Hansen’s 1919 oil painting portrays the Danish artist Theodor Philipsen. Executed in a single canvas, the work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Philipsen as a middle‑aged man with a bald head, spectacles and a moustache, dressed in a dark coat with a white collar. His mouth is slightly open, suggesting speech or contemplation, while his gaze engages the viewer directly.
Technique & Style
Hansen employs a pronounced impasto technique, applying thick layers of paint especially on the face and hands, which creates a tactile surface. Strong chiaroscuro highlights the facial features against a dark, patterned backdrop, emphasizing depth and volume.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after World War I, the painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it has remained on public display. Its provenance traces directly to the artist’s studio, with no recorded intermediate owners.
Context
The work reflects the early modern Danish art scene, where portraiture began to incorporate expressive brushwork and a focus on individual character. Philipsen, a noted painter of animals and landscapes, is rendered here in a more personal, intimate manner.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Hansen painted everyday life in Denmark around 1900, often using oil to catch light on roads and squares.
