Portrætskitse. Formodentlig kunstnerens søn Thorald Jerichau 1858 - 1861

Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann painted this portrait sketch, likely of her son Thorald, in Denmark in the mid-19th century. The work offers a glimpse into the intimate sphere of a prominent artist's family life, but it also reflects the broader social conventions of the time. The artist uses soft, muted tones to capture the delicate features of the young boy, imbuing the sketch with a sense of innocence and vulnerability. The oval framing device and the boy’s dress code are typical of bourgeois portraiture during this period, emphasizing the sitter's status and respectability. The incomplete nature of the sketch, however, invites us to consider the role of artistic process and the artist's own subjectivity in shaping the image. Jerichau Baumann was an unconventional figure who challenged the gendered expectations of the art world. By examining archival materials such as letters, diaries, and exhibition reviews, we can gain a deeper understanding of her position within the cultural landscape of 19th-century Europe and her contribution to the evolving role of women in the arts.