Portrait of Nenna Janson Nagel, b. Backer Lunde 1892

Harriet Backer painted this oil on canvas portrait of Nenna Janson Nagel, née Backer Lunde, sometime during her career. Backer, born in Norway in 1845, navigated a male-dominated art world, studying and painting at a time when opportunities for women were limited. In this intimate portrait, Nenna is depicted with a direct, almost challenging gaze, her features rendered with bold brushstrokes. The dark hues of her dress contrast with the lighter tones of her face, drawing our attention to her expression. While portraiture has historically been used to convey status and idealized beauty, Backer's depiction feels more grounded. It captures a sense of individuality and presence. Consider what it meant for Backer to choose another woman as her subject, and the subtle ways in which she might have been pushing against conventional representations of women in art. Backer invites us to connect with Nenna on a personal level, recognizing her as a complex individual rather than a mere object of admiration.