Thorvaldsen 1839

Edvard Lehmann created this portrait of Bertel Thorvaldsen using engraving techniques. Lehmann was working during a time of intense national romanticism and cultural identity formation in Denmark. This context is crucial to understanding the role and reception of portraits like this one. As we consider the image of Thorvaldsen, a celebrated sculptor, it's interesting to think about how gender and class dynamics are at play. Lehmann, as the artist, is in a way enshrining Thorvaldsen within the artistic canon. The portrait is not just an image, it's also about solidifying a certain kind of legacy. Thorvaldsen is portrayed in a way that is meant to convey authority, intellect, and artistic genius. Consider how portraiture, especially of this formal nature, often serves to reinforce established power structures. It’s a way of saying "these are the people who matter, these are the stories we choose to remember." The emotional dimension of this work lies in its ability to evoke admiration and respect, but we might also ask, whose emotions and experiences are prioritized in this visual narrative?