Study of Clouds 1840 - 1845

Christen Købke made this study of clouds with oil on paper. Købke was a Danish Golden Age painter, and this work reflects the period’s interest in naturalism and scientific observation. Looking at the painting, one might consider the cultural and institutional context of 19th-century art. In Denmark, as elsewhere in Europe, there was a growing emphasis on landscape painting and a desire to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. At the time, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts played a crucial role in shaping artistic taste and providing training to artists like Købke. Købke’s cloud studies reflect a broader artistic trend but also demonstrate a keen awareness of the natural world. To fully understand its meaning, it would be useful to consult historical weather records and writings on meteorology, in order to compare Købke’s painting to broader cultural and intellectual trends. The meaning of art is often contingent on social and institutional context.