Who painted Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene?

Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene was painted by Wilhelm Marstrand in 1849.

Where can I see Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene?

Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene?

Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene

Wilhelm Marstrand , 1849

Fra Ludvig Holbergs "Den Stundesløse", I akt, 6. scene is an oil painting by the Realist artist Wilhelm Marstrand. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Wilhelm Marstrand’s 1849 oil painting captures a moment from the sixth act of Ludvig Holberg’s comedy *Den Stundesløse*. Executed in a realistic manner typical of Marstrand’s oeuvre, the work presents a domestic interior populated by figures in period dress, rendered with meticulous attention to texture and colour. The canvas is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a scene from Holberg’s play, focusing on a group of characters gathered in a room where a clock hangs on the wall. Their varied postures—some engaged in conversation, others standing aloof—suggest a narrative tension, reflecting the play’s themes of haste and procrastination.

Technique & Style

Marstrand employs oil paint to achieve fine detail, from the creases in the long coats to the subtle shading of facial expressions. His realistic approach, rooted in the Danish Golden Age, emphasizes naturalistic lighting and a balanced palette that enhances the sense of immediacy within the interior setting.

History & Provenance

Born in Copenhagen in 1810 to an instrument maker and inventor, Marstrand emerged as a leading painter and illustrator of his era. The painting, created during the height of his career, entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings, where it remains on display as a representative example of mid‑19th‑century Danish Realism.

Context

*Den Stundesløse* was a popular 18th‑century Danish comedy, and Marstrand’s choice to depict a scene from its sixth act aligns with the period’s interest in national literary heritage. The work reflects the broader cultural movement of the Danish Golden Age, which celebrated domestic life and national identity through visual art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Wilhelm Marstrand

Nicolai Wilhelm Marstrand (24 December 1810 – 25 March 1873), painter and illustrator, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Nicolai Jacob Marstrand, instrument maker and inventor, and Petra Othilia Smith.