The Artist’s First Betrothed 1777 - 1780

Jens Juel painted ‘The Artist’s First Betrothed’, an oil on canvas, in the late 18th century. In this era, portraiture served as a powerful marker of status and identity, particularly for women whose social roles were largely defined by their relationships. Here, Juel captures his first fiancée with a soft, idealized gaze, typical of the Rococo style. Her porcelain skin, delicate features, and the airy, ruffled fabric of her dress speak to a cultivated femininity valued at the time. Yet, there’s also a sense of vulnerability in her eyes. Was this a projection of his feelings, or a reflection of the limited agency afforded to women in betrothal arrangements? While the portrait adheres to conventional representations of women, it also hints at the complex emotional landscape beneath the surface. The portrait becomes a mirror reflecting societal expectations, and personal histories of love, loss, and the negotiation of identity within the confines of 18th-century society.