Julie og ammen 1874

Kristian Zahrtmann completed this oil painting, Julie and the Nurse, in 1874. The application of paint is particularly important here. Notice how Zahrtmann uses visible brushstrokes to build up texture, capturing the weight and sheen of the fabrics. Consider the contrast between the nurse’s elaborate brocade dress and the simple gown of the younger woman, Julie. Zahrtmann’s focus on material detail extends to the rosary beads, the delicate fan, and the floral embellishments on the nurse's hat. These elements speak to the material culture of the time, and the social distinctions conveyed through clothing and accessories. The amount of work that went into producing the textiles on display is also important. These are not just pretty surfaces. They're products of labor, bearing witness to the hands that spun, wove, and embroidered them. By highlighting these material details, Zahrtmann invites us to consider the broader social context in which the painting was made, blurring the lines between fine art and the artistry embedded in everyday objects.