Britannicus hoved. 3/4 profil mod venstre 1846

"Britannicus hoved. 3/4 profil mod venstre," or "Britannicus Head, three-quarter profile to the left," is a pencil drawing by Johan Thomas Lundbye. Lundbye was a Danish painter and graphic artist, associated with the Golden Age of Danish Painting. Here, Lundbye provides a detailed study of a young boy, his gaze cast downwards. The drawing is after a marble bust, yet Lundbye's soft rendering humanizes the stoic form, presenting a more tender image. The "Britannicus" here gestures to the son of Roman emperor Claudius. Lundbye's choice of subject reflects a fascination with antiquity, typical of the period. Yet, the identity of the model and his class remains ambiguous. Completed during a time of national romanticism, Lundbye's delicate rendering infuses this classical subject with a distinct sense of vulnerability. The young man embodies a moment of quiet contemplation, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity, history, and representation.