Profilportræt mod højre af kunstnerens mor 1840

Johan Thomas Lundbye made this portrait of his mother with pen and ink in 1840. In Denmark, during the 19th century, art academies cultivated a strong sense of national identity. Artists turned to the local landscape, history, and folklore, finding inspiration in their immediate cultural environment. Lundbye’s portrait of his mother is interesting because it's a deeply personal subject rendered in a formal and classical style. This merging of the personal with the public, the intimate with the institutional, highlights the complex relationship between artistic expression and cultural norms. The severe profile and careful detailing of her bonnet reflect the values of Danish society at the time, where family and tradition were highly regarded. The work, while seemingly straightforward, invites us to consider the role of art in shaping perceptions of motherhood and domestic life within a specific cultural context. Understanding this piece requires delving into the social history of 19th-century Denmark, using resources such as letters, journals, and institutional records.