Ingeniørkaptajn Michael Overgaard Asmussen 1833 - 1871

J.V. Gertner painted this miniature portrait of Ingeniørkaptajn Michael Overgaard Asmussen in Denmark at some point in the mid-19th century. A tiny oil on copper, it speaks to the period's fascination with capturing likenesses, influenced both by the rise of photography and older traditions of portraiture for the wealthy. Painted during a time of significant social and political change in Denmark, the portrait operates within the visual codes of class and status. The sitter's dark suit, though simple, speaks to his position as an engineer captain. Such a profession would have been associated with the burgeoning industrialization and modernization of the country. The ornate frame further accentuates the subject's social standing. This work and others like it, were intended to solidify social hierarchies, presenting idealized images of those in power. To fully understand this work, one can examine the historical archives of Danish military and engineering institutions to understand the subject's role in society, shedding light on the networks of power and influence at play.