Mester Gert Westphaler, 25. scene 1815

C.A. Lorentzen made this painting, Mester Gert Westphaler, in oil on canvas, sometime in the late 18th century. It's a scene of domestic life and intrigue. The work speaks to social structures in Denmark and Europe at the time. The fashions of the wigs, coats, and dresses would have indicated social status. The setting, in what appears to be a merchant's home, tells us something about the rising merchant classes and their place in society. Institutions such as marriage, family life, and business practices would have been central to how people understood the world. Is the artist commenting on those institutions? Is there an element of satire or critique in the poses and interactions of the figures? As art historians, we might look to the popular theatre of the time for clues to what is being depicted. We could research the history of costume or consult archives of family papers to better understand the values and practices of the day. Art like this shows us how closely the meaning of art is tied to its social and institutional context.