Retfærdigheden 1796 - 1810

This painting, titled "Retfærdigheden," or Justice, was made by Johann Georg Wahl around the turn of the 19th century, using oil on canvas. Look closely at the drape of the robes: the artist used his brush to carefully layer the paint, creating highlights and shadows that give the illusion of depth and texture. The material qualities of oil paint – its ability to be blended, layered, and manipulated – are crucial to the painting’s impact. This was not a quick process. Wahl would have spent hours carefully applying paint to achieve this effect. The time and skill involved in creating this illusion were highly valued in the 19th century art world. This level of labor reflects a system where the artist was both a skilled craftsman and a creative visionary. Understanding the painting involves not just admiring the image, but also recognizing the time, tradition, and craft that went into its making.