Conrad Alexander Fabritius de Tengnagel 1780 - 1784

Luigi di Giuseppe Grossi created this marble sculpture of Conrad Alexander Fabritius de Tengnagel sometime in the 1700s. The sculpture presents a profile of Tengnagel, a member of the Danish elite during an era of significant social stratification. During the 18th century, portraiture served as a powerful tool for the aristocracy to assert their status and preserve their legacy. Notice how Grossi meticulously renders Tengnagel’s powdered wig and refined features, details that speak to his social standing. Yet, what stories are silenced through this carefully constructed image of power? What can this tells us about the lives of those excluded from such representation? Consider how the emotional distance in Tengnagel’s gaze might reflect both the ideals and the anxieties of his time. The sculpture invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between individual identity and the broader socio-political forces at play.