Artwork
Scene from Ludwig Holberg's The Lying-in Room
Scene from Ludwig Holberg's The Lying-in Room is an oil painting by Wilhelm Marstrand. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Wilhelm Marstrand’s 1845 oil painting, *Scene from Ludwig Holberg’s The Lying‑in Room*, captures a domestic tableau drawn from Holberg’s comedy. The canvas presents a group of women gathered around a bed where a new mother cradles her infant, their gestures and expressions conveying a convivial, supportive atmosphere. The work is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates a moment of communal celebration surrounding childbirth, a theme common in 18th‑century Danish drama. By focusing on the interaction among the women—chatting, laughing, and attending to the mother—the painting underscores values of fellowship and the social rituals that surround the arrival of a child.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, Marstrand employs a bright palette and loose brushwork to convey the lively interior. The contrast between the luminous yellow dress in the foreground and the softer whites of surrounding figures creates depth, while the detailed rendering of fabrics and furnishings reflects the artist’s skill in depicting texture and space.
History & Provenance
Created in 1845, the painting entered the collection of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on view. Marstrand, a native of Copenhagen born in 1810 to an instrument‑making family, produced the work during the height of the Danish Golden Age, a period marked by a flourishing of national art.
Context
Holberg’s play, a staple of Danish Enlightenment theatre, offered a comedic yet affectionate look at domestic life. Marstrand’s visual interpretation aligns with the era’s interest in genre scenes that combined narrative content with a keen observation of everyday customs, reflecting broader cultural currents in mid‑19th‑century Denmark.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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