Ubekendt officer i rød uniform 1824

Christian Petersen created this miniature painting of an unknown officer in a red uniform. Its small size and oval format invite an intimate viewing experience. The officer’s gaze meets ours directly, establishing a personal connection. Petersen masterfully uses light and shadow to model the officer’s face and uniform, giving the figure a tangible presence within the shallow pictorial space. Note how the buttons draw attention to the visual hierarchy. In this composition, the rigid formality of the officer’s attire, with its structured lines and defined edges, contrasts with the soft modelling of his features, which softens the image. Petersen does not simply represent a person; instead, he asks us to consider the relationship between public identity and private self. The painting thus questions the fixity of identity. It explores how we construct ourselves through visual codes and artistic conventions.