#blegdammen

Christen Købke (May 26, 1810 - 1848) was a Danish National-Romantic painter from the Golden Age of Danish art. He trained at the Royal Academy, starting at age 12, studying with Eckersberg and others.

Eventually Købke traveled abroad to Italy, but upon return failed to be accepted as a full-fledged member by the Royal Academy. This is said to have broken his spirit and he died young from pneumonia.

Now he is considered the most talented Danish National Romantic artist, and he did master both portrait painting, landscapes, interiors and genre painting in almost equal measure. I like his landscapes, esp. those showing Copenhagen, the Danish capital as a semi-rural city. This is the view from out his father’s garden gate:

Havelågen ved bagermester Købkes gård på Blegdammen, 1843-4 - oil on paper pasted onto canvas (SMK)