Fire hoveder i profil mod venstre 1783 - 1853

Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg made this pencil drawing, titled "Four Heads in Profile Facing Left," sometime between 1811 and 1813. The drawing shows the academic study of the male head in profile, a popular exercise in European art academies of the time. In this work, Eckersberg depicts four men in a row, each facing left, their features rendered with delicate precision. Eckersberg was a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. This drawing reflects the school's emphasis on anatomical accuracy and classical ideals. It embodies the neoclassical style that dominated European art education in the early 19th century. Denmark, like many European nations, was grappling with questions of national identity in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars. Art academies played a crucial role in shaping cultural values and promoting a sense of national pride through the arts. Art historians often consult the archives of art academies, exhibition catalogs, and period publications to understand how artists like Eckersberg negotiated their roles within these institutions. This drawing serves as a valuable resource for understanding the academic practices and artistic values of early 19th-century Denmark.