Portrait of the Artist´s Sister, Cecilie Margrethe Petersen, née Købke 1835

Christen Købke painted this portrait of his sister, Cecilie Margrethe Petersen, using oil on canvas, a very traditional choice of materials and process for the time. The smooth surface of the painting supports the careful detail in Cecilie's face and clothing. Note the soft, almost luminous quality of the colors, achieved through meticulous layering of paint. Købke's technique reflects an intimate engagement with the materiality of oil paint, pushing it to capture the delicate balance between light and shadow. Interestingly, the painting doesn't flaunt its material. The subdued palette and smooth surface direct our attention to Cecilie herself. Her dress, though painted with care, is more an indication of her social status than a celebration of luxury. Ultimately, this work demonstrates how even the most conventional materials can be used with great sensitivity, to make something that resonates with a quiet, human presence. It challenges any notion that 'craft' is separate from 'high art'; here, the two are inseparable.