Jakob Peter Mynster 1833

Asmus Kaufmann created this portrait of Jakob Peter Mynster, using engraving techniques. During Mynster’s time as a theologian, he was Bishop of Zealand and a public figure in Denmark. Kaufmann captures Mynster’s likeness and projects his societal position through his clothing and ornamentation. The high collar frames Mynster’s face, conveying an image of authority and intellectualism. The cross around his neck further illustrates his religious position. Portraits like this one were commissioned and consumed by a wealthy, educated elite. They reflect the sitter's social standing and contribute to constructing a narrative of power and influence. Kaufmann’s portrait of Mynster invites us to think about the relationship between representation, power, and identity in 19th-century Denmark.