Portræt af Carl Gustav Pilo 1756 - 1804

Cornelius Høyer painted this portrait of Carl Gustav Pilo, a miniature, with gouache on ivory. Høyer, a student of Pilo, captures his mentor in a moment of relaxed contemplation. But who was Pilo? As a court painter, Pilo navigated the treacherous waters of royal patronage and political intrigue of 18th-century Denmark. Consider the power dynamics at play. Pilo, the established artist, becomes the subject of his student's gaze. Høyer's work reflects the shifting tides of artistic legacy and the complex relationships between master and apprentice. The intimacy of the miniature format invites us to consider the personal dimensions of artistic creation and the emotional bonds that connect artists across generations. It’s a compelling glimpse into the social fabric of the art world.