Jørgen Jørgensen, cand. theol. 1857

Henrik Olrik created this portrait of Jørgen Jørgensen, a candidate of theology, using etching. The image is dominated by the sitter's bust, rendered with meticulous detail through fine, closely-spaced lines, giving it a tactile quality despite its two-dimensionality. The formal composition is structured around the contrast between the intricate cross-hatching that defines Jørgensen's features and the smooth, untouched background. Olrik masterfully uses hatching to model form and convey texture. The face, framed by delicate, wiry hair, is particularly striking. Notice the way the light catches the lenses of Jørgensen's glasses, drawing attention to his gaze. This technique creates a sense of depth and volume, effectively capturing the subject's likeness while subtly highlighting the medium's inherent properties. The portrait’s structure, in its stark simplicity, directs us to consider the interplay between representation and abstraction.