Studie til det Rybergske familiebillede; Fru Rybergs figur og højre hånd med en parasol 1796 - 1797

This is a study for the Ryberg family portrait by Jens Juel, made sometime in the late 18th century. This drawing offers us a glimpse into the world of elite Danish society during a period of significant social and political change. Here, we see a sketch of Mrs. Ryberg, poised and elegant, holding a parasol. The parasol, more than a mere fashion accessory, speaks volumes about the gendered expectations and social status of women in that era. It symbolizes protection, delicacy, and a life shielded from the harsh realities of labor. Consider the dichotomy it represents: while women like Mrs. Ryberg were sheltered, others toiled relentlessly to maintain such lifestyles. Juel's study invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity and representation, particularly the ways in which women were both idealized and constrained by the society they inhabited. It encourages us to think critically about the power dynamics at play in portraiture and the stories that these images both tell and conceal.