Portræt af Thorvald Bindesbøll i profil mod venstre 1890

Curator: Here we have Vilhelm Hammershøi's charcoal drawing from 1890, "Portræt af Thorvald Bindesbøll i profil mod venstre"—a portrait of the artist Thorvald Bindesbøll in profile. Editor: It's a powerful, brooding image. The heavy use of charcoal gives it a weight, almost as if the sitter is burdened. I immediately feel a sense of introspection emanating from the portrait. Curator: Hammershøi’s portrait practice during this period was deeply embedded in artistic circles. Bindesbøll, himself a notable architect and designer, became a recurring subject and collaborator, reflecting the strong social networks within the Danish art scene. Editor: I'm struck by the cap Bindesbøll is wearing. The way it obscures part of his forehead really focuses your attention on the line of his nose and his downcast expression. It makes me wonder what visual language that item of clothing could carry, like if it hints at any social symbolism? Curator: It's a curious element. The cap, while practical, adds a sense of informality to what might otherwise be a more formal portrait. It softens the sitter, perhaps hinting at a shared understanding or intimacy between the artists. Its impact definitely sets a tone of reserved modernity that appealed to the intellectual circles in Copenhagen. Editor: I see that – the very slight tilt of his head suggests a thoughtful self-reflection. Also, note how Hammershøi refrains from including the eyes of the model, pushing you away ever so slightly; he seems immersed in a profound, perhaps even melancholic meditation. What does that mean? Curator: Well, you can view the decision not to render the eyes precisely as contributing to the romantic sentimentality permeating fin-de-siècle portraiture. While a stark contrast to typical grand manner portraits, it reveals intimacy with Bindesbøll, and moves in lockstep with trends such as impressionism. Editor: This somber, psychological reading, coupled with the visual emphasis on shapes and forms through heavy charcoaling gives it a strikingly pensive mood overall. Curator: Hammershøi was deeply aware of these aesthetic concerns, balancing representation and symbol. A compelling visual artifact reflecting on turn-of-the-century aesthetics and their artistic and social networks. Editor: The way it’s all been represented adds an amazing level of thoughtfulness. What an insightful work!