studier af planter ved et vandløb 1779

Jens Juel sketched “Studies of Plants by a Stream” with pencil on paper, sometime in the late 18th century. Juel, a leading portrait painter in Denmark, lived during a time of shifting social structures where the elite began to appreciate the beauty and sublimity of nature. This drawing, though seemingly simple, offers a window into the cultural values of Juel's time. It reflects an interest in the natural world, which was becoming increasingly important. Yet, it's difficult to ignore that even the appreciation of nature was a privilege, enjoyed mostly by those with the time and resources to contemplate it. How might our understanding of nature change if access to it were more equitable across lines of class and race? The artwork gently reminds us of the complex ways our social positions shape our perspectives, inviting us to consider whose voices and experiences are often left out. This piece encourages us to reflect on what it means to observe and represent the world around us, while questioning the power dynamics inherent in those acts.