In a Roman Osteria
Carl Bloch (Danish, 1834–1890)
1866
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Classification
- Painting
- Dimensions
- height 148.5 cm, width 177.5 cm, height 176 cm, width 209.5 cm
- Culture
- Danish
- Museum
- SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
- Rights
- Public Domain Mark: SMK waives its rights in this photograph, as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Teens profiles and older: its museum says too little about what it shows to place it for younger viewers. How works are placed
View at the SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
About this work
Knives and forks are at the ready, gazes are smouldering and fierce. This is one of Bloch’s most popular genre images and typifies his seductive ability to depict details with striking realism. His technical skill and colour schemes link him to the artists who, opposing the dominant movements in Denmark, looked to contemporary Europe for inspiration. Even so, Bloch was regarded as Denmark’s greatest painter. His virtuoso skill and penchant for compelling narratives ensured his position. Genre paintings offered a breathing space in between the numerous commissions for instructive historical paintings and altarpieces . Coarse fisherwomen and monks suffering from toothaches were favourite motifs. Amusing, yet also eerie images, they very much leave themselves open to interpretation.
