Niels Ryberg with his Son Johan Christian and his Daughter-in-Law Engelke, née Falbe 1797

Jens Juel painted this group portrait of Niels Ryberg with his son and daughter-in-law in the late 1790s. It depicts the family in a moment of leisure, set against the backdrop of their grand estate. Niels Ryberg made his fortune through trade and shipping, including a significant stake in the transatlantic slave trade. As we consider this painting, it’s important to reflect on the uncomfortable truth that the wealth which enabled this idyllic family portrait was built, in part, on the exploitation and suffering of enslaved people. Juel’s portrait invites us to consider the complexities of identity and representation. The family's elegant attire and serene expressions project an image of prosperity and social standing, yet this image obscures the darker aspects of their history. The painting thus becomes a space where visibility and invisibility intersect, prompting us to confront the difficult legacies of colonialism and capitalism.