Portrait of Inger Margrethe Høyen, née Schrøder, the Mother of the Art Historian N.L. Høyen 1832

Christen Købke painted this portrait of Inger Margrethe Høyen using oil on canvas. The smooth, almost porcelain-like rendering of her face results from the layered application of thin glazes, a technique refined over centuries. The artist's choice of oil paint, manufactured and readily available, reflects the rise of industrial capitalism. Rather than grinding his own pigments, Købke purchased them, a sign of the increasing division of labor. However, the incredible detail, especially in the rendering of the sitter's clothing and facial features, reveals the artist's own hand, eye, and skill, honed through years of academic training. The work is not just about representing Inger Margrethe Høyen, but about the artist's mastery of his craft. Consider, too, the labor invested in the sitter's lace bonnet and striped shawl. These textiles speak to domestic industry and the role of women in the production of goods. By attending to these material details, we appreciate the portrait as more than just a likeness. It's a document of its time, reflecting the complex relationship between art, labor, and society.