Portræt af kunstnerens moder, oberstinde Cathrine Lundbye (f. Bonnevie); halvfigur siddende i stol mod højre. 1845

Editor: This is Johan Thomas Lundbye’s 1845 watercolor and drawing, “Portrait of the Artist's Mother, Colonel Cathrine Lundbye.” It's softer than I expected, somehow. There's a quiet melancholy about her eyes, and this muted palette, makes it feel very intimate. What catches your eye when you look at this portrait? Curator: You know, intimacy is the perfect word. It feels less like a commissioned piece and more like a son's quiet contemplation of his mother. Her gaze is direct, isn’t it? Unflinching. The cross she wears hints at a depth of faith, a grounding element in her life perhaps. What I find interesting is how Lundbye balances realism with this almost dreamlike watercolor wash. It gives the piece a sense of memory, doesn't it? Do you feel that too? Editor: Absolutely! Like a memory half-faded, yet the essential features remain sharp. It's interesting you point out the cross. Was that a common symbol in portraits then, or do you think it's particularly personal in this context? Curator: It's difficult to say definitively. The cross, of course, was a widely recognized symbol of faith, but in this intensely personal portrayal, I lean towards it being a deliberate, deeply felt choice. It could symbolize not only her personal beliefs but perhaps the values she instilled in Lundbye himself. Do you find yourself wondering about their relationship when you look at this? I certainly do. Editor: Definitely! Thinking about their relationship makes me consider it from a totally new angle. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! It’s fascinating how a simple portrait can become a window into such rich inner worlds, isn’t it?