Studie af et bord med tæppe og et draperi-studie 1789 - 1792

Jens Juel made this drawing, "Studie af et bord med tæppe og et draperi-studie," using graphite. It is likely that this image was created during his time as director of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. These academies played a vital role in shaping artistic norms. The rendering of fabric was considered an important component of formal artistic training. The ability to depict folds and drapes convincingly was a sign of an artist’s skill and attention to detail. Notice how Juel’s drawing captures the play of light and shadow on the fabric, creating a sense of depth and volume. To understand it better, we could examine the Academy’s curriculum, student work, and the writings of instructors. By looking at these resources, we begin to see this drawing, not just as a study of drapery, but as an artifact of its institutional setting.