Mandsportræt med flagrende hår 1780 - 1836

Editor: So this is Oluf Olufsen Bagge’s "Male Portrait with Fluttering Hair," created sometime between 1780 and 1836. It’s a drawing, or rather an engraving printed on paper. I’m struck by how the subject’s intense gaze contrasts with the wild, almost chaotic hair. What stands out to you? Curator: The “fluttering hair” indeed speaks volumes. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, this style often symbolized Romantic ideals – freedom, passion, and a connection to the sublime forces of nature. Considering the socio-political context of the time, with revolutions brewing and ideas of individual liberty gaining prominence, how do you think this portrait engages with such sentiments? Editor: That’s a good point. Maybe the unruly hair represents a rejection of societal norms or expectations? The piercing look feels deliberate, like a challenge. Curator: Precisely. Think about the role portraiture played then – it was often about projecting power and status. Bagge seems to subvert this, presenting us with a figure whose inner intensity is prioritized over outward appearance. What message does that send to the viewer, and who was the intended audience for prints like these? Editor: So, instead of a regal depiction meant for the wealthy, this might be intended for a wider audience that was sympathetic to radical views or perhaps exploring individual identity outside of strict social definitions. Was it common to portray such rebellious attitudes? Curator: While formal portraiture often adhered to conventions, the rise of printmaking allowed for a wider dissemination of images, sometimes showcasing alternative perspectives. Did this engraving reach the audience that the artist desired or that you assumed it should? I always find it is difficult to be sure about what was really going on at the time an artwork was conceived. Editor: I hadn't considered how prints made art more accessible, offering a space for potentially subversive imagery. Thanks! Curator: And I hadn't considered what that subversiveness would communicate. It’s a fascinating reminder of how artistic expression reflects, and can influence, the social and political currents of its time.