Niels Lang Nissen 1838 - 1850

Editor: Here we have Adolph Kittendorff's lithograph print, "Niels Lang Nissen," dating back to sometime between 1838 and 1850, housed here at the SMK. It strikes me as a really honest portrayal; it feels less like idealizing and more like seeing a person as they were. What draws you in when you look at this portrait? Curator: Well, you've already touched upon something essential. It’s incredibly human, isn't it? And the lithographic technique is brilliant, mimicking the softness and depth of a charcoal drawing. The slightly softened gaze behind those spectacles suggests wisdom, perhaps a touch of weariness. But also think about those medals he wears. Each a story, a commendation. I wonder what narratives they carry? What do you suppose Niels Lang Nissen did to earn such distinctions? Editor: Hmm, maybe he was a decorated war hero or a public servant of some kind. What does his style and expression communicate about the period in which he lived? Curator: It's firmly rooted in realism, mirroring the growing interest in representing individuals and society with unflinching accuracy during that era. Forget the pomp and circumstance; we see a man, with all his wrinkles and quirks, captured for posterity. Wouldn’t you agree it almost feels rebellious against the art world of its time, moving away from the glorified depictions so typical of earlier portraiture? Editor: Absolutely! It feels far more intimate and accessible than other portraits I've studied from the period. Thanks, I'll keep all of that in mind. Curator: My pleasure. And always remember, a portrait is never just an image – it's a conversation across time, a whisper from the past inviting us to listen.