Thorvaldsen 1786 - 1856

Curator: This is a lithograph portrait of Bertel Thorvaldsen, dating from his lifetime, 1786-1856, and it's part of the collection at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: He certainly wears a lot of medals. Visually, it feels quite austere, a formality emphasized by the cool grays. Almost like a banknote, wouldn't you say? Curator: Indeed. The proliferation of medals speaks volumes. Medals in portraits serve as explicit visual cues denoting societal merit and loyalty to governing institutions. It shows that Thorvaldsen was valued and appreciated, even outside of Denmark. Editor: Lithography lends itself to mass production. Here's an interesting question: how did portraiture democratize representations of power and fame with the advancement of such printing techniques? He might be the biggest Danish artist ever but what does this kind of printed portrait mean for his public image? Curator: Absolutely, the reproducible nature of lithography allowed for a wider distribution of Thorvaldsen's image, furthering his fame beyond the elite circles who might commission a painted portrait or visit his sculptures in person. It speaks to the rise of the artist as a public figure, whose image itself holds cultural weight. This image, precisely crafted, reinforces his image, not as a revolutionary, but an accepted pillar of society. Editor: It is also interesting to consider the economics behind lithography at the time. We tend to focus on 'high art' like Thorvaldsen’s sculptures. However, someone had to design the lithograph and reproduce it; there must be other prints from that atelier. How do they reflect cultural attitudes beyond the sphere of the high-status patron? Curator: That's a compelling point. I'd wager the sheer volume of similar images circulating shaped the public's understanding not just of Thorvaldsen, but also of fame and achievement more generally, becoming almost like collectible images. Editor: Seeing this portrait makes me wonder how deeply entwined material realities were with creating artistic reputations back then. A lithograph facilitated by artisans and commerce enabled a visual culture celebrating high-profile people such as Thorvaldsen. It wasn't purely the product of one person’s genius, but a confluence of societal and technical factors. Curator: I agree; seeing it in lithograph form is a vital lesson in understanding that images and public status have always been manufactured as well as deserved. Editor: Absolutely, now I want to find the printing house that made this!