Bildnis Frederic Leighton mit Hut 

Johann Heinrich Hasselhorst captured Frederic Leighton with delicate pencil strokes in this sensitive portrait. It's interesting to consider the relationship between the two artists, both working within a 19th-century European art world that was steeped in tradition, yet also on the cusp of modernism. Leighton, who would become a very successful academic painter, is depicted here with a soft vulnerability. The hat adds a touch of bohemian flair, hinting at a desire for artistic freedom, even as he was becoming part of the establishment. What does it mean to portray another artist? Is it an act of homage, a subtle competition, or perhaps an intimate exchange? How do their personal positions and ambitions shape the image? The drawing invites us to consider the complexities of artistic identity, shaped both by personal expression and the societal expectations of the time.