This motif is very close the Købke’s parents’ second home at Østerbro, to which the family moved in 1833. It was to take three years after the move before he began to paint his new neighbourhood. He wanted to know the environment well before dealing with it artistically. The willow in the foreground is first felt to be in the way, but in fact it entices the viewer to look at the painting more closely. Behind it a view of the city on a calm weekday slowly emerges.