Profilportrætter af dronning Caroline Mathilde, J.F. Struensee og Enevold Brandt, samt et udkast, muligvis af Juel selv. Alle i profil mod venstre 1784

Jens Juel sketched these portrait profiles of Queen Caroline Mathilde, J.F. Struensee, and Enevold Brandt, along with a possible self-portrait, using graphite on paper. The softness of the graphite allows for delicate lines and subtle gradations of tone, capturing the nuances of each sitter’s profile. Notice how Juel uses the pencil to build up shadows and contours, suggesting the play of light across their faces. The texture of the paper itself contributes to the overall effect, adding a tactile quality to the image. The immediacy of the medium lends a sense of intimacy to these portraits, as if we are witnessing a private moment of artistic creation. Juel skillfully employs the inherent qualities of graphite and paper to convey not only the physical likeness of his subjects but also their character and presence. Considered together, these portraits offer a glimpse into the social and political circles of 18th-century Denmark, brought to life through the simple yet expressive medium of graphite on paper.