Artwork
The Artist's Wife, Ida Hammershøi, née Ilsted
The Artist's Wife, Ida Hammershøi, née Ilsted is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vilhelm Hammershøi. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Vilhelm Hammershøi’s 1898 oil portrait presents his wife, Ida Hammershøi (née Ilsted), in a restrained composition typical of his late‑nineteenth‑century output. The work resides in the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark, and exemplifies the artist’s focus on quiet, interiorized scenes rather than overt narrative.
Subject & Meaning
Ida is depicted with her hair pulled back and dressed in a dark, buttoned gown, her gaze directed slightly away from the viewer. The subdued expression and minimal background suggest an intimate, contemplative moment, emphasizing personal presence over external context.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs soft, blended brushwork that dissolves edges and creates a calm atmosphere. The limited palette of muted tones and the flat, light‑colored backdrop draw attention to the sitter’s face, aligning the piece with Hammershøi’s post‑impressionist leanings toward tonal restraint.
History & Provenance
Created in 1898, the portrait entered the collection of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving works that illustrate Hammershøi’s distinctive approach to portraiture and domestic interiority.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vilhelm Hammershøi (), often anglicised as Vilhelm Hammershoi (15 May 1864 – 13 February 1916), was a Danish painter.
