Gottlieb Bindesbøll, Danish Architect 1834

Wilhelm Marstrand painted this portrait of Gottlieb Bindesbøll, a Danish architect, in the 19th century. The painting gives us insight into the cultural and social status of architects and artists in Denmark at the time. Marstrand was Denmark's leading genre painter and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts. He was known for his depictions of everyday life, celebrations, and theatrical scenes. Looking at this portrait, we see a different side to Marstrand's work; we see the influence of academic training on his artistry. The work captures the architect in a relaxed pose, leaning back on a chair. This casual posture is remarkable in contrast to the strict protocol of formal portraiture in the early 1800s. Bindesbøll's informal presentation suggests the emerging role of the artist and architect in shaping the cultural life of Denmark. To understand this portrait better, research into the Danish art academy system and the emerging field of architecture would be invaluable. This can lead us to understand the changing place of the arts in the 19th-century Danish society.