Portræt af præsten Paul Egede (1709-89) 1787

This is J.F. Clemens’ delicate pencil drawing of Paul Egede, made sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. What strikes you immediately is the oval framing a profile view of Egede, delineated with a series of light, tentative strokes. Clemens captures a softness through his medium, using graphite to create subtle gradations of tone and texture. Notice how the wig, for instance, is rendered through a series of delicate, spiraling lines that give it a sense of volume and movement. The same attention to texture is evident in the rendering of Egede's coat, where the strokes follow the contours of the fabric. The simplicity of the drawing invites contemplation on portraiture's function: how the play of light and shadow, and the texture of line can communicate not just likeness, but also a sense of character and presence. This is not merely a representation but an interpretation of Egede through Clemens’ eyes, engaging us in a dialogue about representation itself.