Portræt af Professor Frederik Christian Sibbern 1833

Christen Købke created this drawing of Professor Frederik Christian Sibbern using pencil on paper, and its neutral palette encourages a focus on form and texture. Købke's expert use of line and shading constructs a detailed likeness, and the tight composition frames the professor’s upper body, emphasizing his face and folded arms. Notice how Sibbern's gaze meets ours directly, creating an intimate connection despite the formal distance of the portrait. The materiality of the pencil on paper is evident in the varying degrees of shading, which give the professor's face and clothing depth and dimension. The lines in the drawing do more than describe the professor; they seem to explore the very essence of his character and intellect. This piece is not just a depiction of an individual but an exploration of representation itself, questioning how we capture and convey identity through art.