The Painter C.W. Eckersberg 1832

C.A. Jensen painted this portrait of C.W. Eckersberg, in Denmark, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Eckersberg was himself a very influential painter, sometimes called the father of Danish painting, and Jensen was one of his students at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. This small portrait speaks to the social networks underpinning artistic production. Eckersberg became director of the Academy in 1818, solidifying his influence over the next generation of Danish artists. Looking at the painting we get a sense of the kind of establishment figure Eckersberg was. He is dressed in black formal wear, his expression is serious, and his gaze is level. He is every bit the model of a serious and successful artist. To understand this image further, one could research the archives of the Royal Danish Academy or study the biographies of Jensen and Eckersberg, connecting their personal history to broader social trends in the art world.