Portrait of the Artist´s Cousin, Michael Christian Petersen 1830 - 1834

Christen Købke's "Portrait of the Artist's Cousin, Michael Christian Petersen" is a striking example of Danish Golden Age painting. Painted between 1830 and 1834, it depicts Købke's cousin in a formal pose, seated and gazing directly at the viewer. The composition is simple, highlighting the subject's refined features against a subdued green background. The precise rendering of details, like the sitter's clothing and the chair, exemplifies Købke's realist style, often admired for its accuracy and attention to light. This oil painting, currently housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, showcases Købke's ability to capture the individuality and character of his subject in a timeless portrait.