Mendel Levin Nathanson’s Elder Daughters, Bella and Hanna 1820

Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg painted "Mendel Levin Nathanson’s Elder Daughters, Bella and Hanna" using oil on canvas, a traditional medium for portraiture in the 19th century. The smooth, almost porcelain finish of the figures' skin reflects the artist's mastery of layering and blending paint. However, it's the depiction of fabrics that truly captures the era's emphasis on material culture. The dresses, with their subtle variations in texture and sheen, speak to the skilled labor of textile production. Notice the intricate details of the embroidery and the way the light catches the folds of the fabric. The garments point to the rise of consumerism, a burgeoning middle class, and the craftsmanship involved in creating luxury goods. Even the birdcage, meticulously rendered in paint, hints at the exotic trade routes that brought such creatures – and the materials to cage them – to Europe. Eckersberg’s attention to the textures and forms of material culture elevates the painting beyond a simple portrait. It invites us to consider the social and economic forces that shaped the lives of these women, reminding us that even the most refined artwork is deeply intertwined with the world of labor and consumption.