A modestly dressed woman sitting on a wooden stool. In her hands, she has a book, possibly a bible. Her eyes are closed as if she's praying.
Pettersen was a versatile artist. He was one of the most technically gifted and radical painters of his time and could easily switch between different styles of painting. He is best known of his portraits, history- and landscape paintings. He also designed the Norwegian coat of arms, a red shield with a golden lion which is holding an axe.