Kompositionsudkast til det Rabenske familiebillede II 1796

This is Jens Juel's "Kompositionsudkast til det Rabenske familiebillede II," a pencil sketch for a family portrait, dating back to the late 18th century. The sketch offers us a glimpse into the world of Danish bourgeois society during a period marked by both Enlightenment ideals and rigid social hierarchies. Juel, a prominent portraitist, was deeply embedded in this society, capturing its elite with both technical skill and psychological insight. This work, though a preliminary sketch, reveals much about gender roles and expectations. The woman, fully clothed, seems to be directing the gaze, while the man is sitting, bare chested, seemingly more vulnerable. The composition hints at the complexities of family dynamics and personal identity within the confines of 18th-century social norms. It’s interesting to consider how Juel, as an artist navigating the patronage system, might have negotiated his own identity and values through his work. It makes you wonder, what kind of personal narratives are embedded in his portraits?