J.C. Hauch 1837

Edvard Lehmann created this portrait of J.C. Hauch, sometime in the mid-19th century, using lithography. Lehmann, who was deeply engaged in the political and cultural currents of his time, would have known Hauch as an important Danish poet and playwright. In examining this portrait, we might consider the cultural values and social expectations that shaped the sitter. Hauch, in his dark coat and neatly tied cravat, presents the image of a cultivated, intellectual man. Lehmann uses shadow and light to model Hauch's face, imbuing him with a sense of depth and emotion. It’s a striking visualization of 19th-century masculinity and intellectualism. Consider how Lehmann's artistic choices and Hauch's own self-presentation contribute to the narrative of identity and social status in the artwork.