Portræt af Sophie Frederikke Raffenberg 1830 - 1833

Wilhelm Marstrand created this portrait of Sophie Frederikke Raffenberg with graphite on paper. The subtlety of graphite is key to the artwork's charm. A humble material, graphite is simply processed carbon, ground into a powder, and mixed with clay before being formed into a rod and baked. The ratio of graphite to clay determines the hardness and darkness of the mark it makes on paper. In this drawing, Marstrand coaxes a remarkable range of tones from the material. See how he captures the soft light on Sophie's face, and the delicate texture of her dress with a fine touch. It's through the precise application of this relatively modest material that Marstrand elevates his work. The artist's skilled labor, rendered visible through delicate strokes, transforms a common substance into a compelling likeness, a reminder that artistry resides not just in the subject, but in the careful hand that shapes it.