Princess Caroline Amalie Sketching in Naples. Study 1820

Johan Christian Dahl painted this oil study of Princess Caroline Amalie sketching in Naples. In the 19th century, travel and artistic pursuits were entwined, but access to this world was highly stratified by class. Dahl’s portrait captures the Princess’s engagement with the Italian landscape. As a woman of royal lineage, her access to this experience, and to the act of artistic creation, was assured, delineating her privilege. There is a certain unassuming quality to the piece. A red cloak hangs on the wall next to her, an almost surreal touch, as if another character is in the scene with her. Dahl seems less interested in portraying her royal status and more in highlighting her contemplative and creative act. Through this portrayal, Dahl captures a moment of intimate connection between the Princess and the world around her. It invites us to consider the complex interplay of identity, privilege, and artistic expression.