"Behager De Portefeuillen?" 1812 - 1894

Curator: This lithograph, currently residing in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, is entitled "Behager De Portefeuillen?". David Monies created this print sometime between 1812 and 1894. Editor: The initial impression is one of understated satire. The figures, rendered with meticulous detail in monochrome, possess an almost sculptural quality despite being two-dimensional. The lines seem incredibly precise. Curator: Indeed. Monies captures a specific social tableau, reflecting the rise of the middle class and their cultural pretensions. The figure presenting what appears to be a portfolio perhaps solicits patronage, appealing to their cultivated tastes. This reflects broader trends in 19th-century Denmark, where art became increasingly accessible beyond aristocratic circles. Editor: I see what you mean. Note the composition: a somewhat crowded ensemble of figures caught in a dynamic tension, juxtaposed against the starkly plain ground. Monies really plays with spatial arrangement here—creating implied lines between gazes and gestures to construct relationships between individuals within the piece. There’s something intentionally askew about it; notice the posture of the seated gentleman, who contrasts directly to the straight and narrow bearer on the right. Curator: The very title—"Behager De Portefeuillen?"—translates to "Do you like the portfolios?". That interrogative aspect underscores the inherent power dynamics at play; who holds the economic means, and who must therefore supplicate. The print functions as both documentation and critique. Editor: Absolutely. The subtle variations in shading further enhance depth and three-dimensionality despite its planar nature. There is also a great sense of narrative—and I am curious about the interior details and the story behind the people pictured. The details add context to their aspirations and activities. Curator: Precisely. It’s a lens into a very specific moment—a budding cultural ecosystem fuelled by emerging financial capital. We should also highlight the artistic genre: the work leans heavily into elements of caricature and genre-painting traditions to emphasize narrative and realism in everyday life. Editor: Reflecting upon its execution and arrangement, "Behager De Portefeuillen?" encapsulates far more than a fleeting interaction, serving as an astute dissection of artistic patronage during a pivotal era in cultural and social history.