Selvportræt. 3/4 profil mod venstre 1881 - 1927

Editor: So, this is Harald Giersing's self-portrait in three-quarter profile, created sometime between 1881 and 1927. It’s a pencil drawing on paper, and the scratchy lines give it a really raw, almost anxious energy. What’s your take? Curator: It's fascinating to see Giersing’s expressive line work in the context of early 20th-century expressionism. The sketch seems to deconstruct the traditional portrait. How does it challenge or reinforce societal expectations around portraiture in that period? Editor: I hadn't thought of it like that, but the unfinished feel definitely subverts the idea of a formal, idealized representation. Maybe he's reflecting the fragmented, uncertain experience of modern life? Curator: Precisely! And it raises the question: Who has the right to create and circulate these images? Was this drawing intended for public consumption, or was it a private exploration of self? The act of self-representation can be incredibly political, especially within the confines of artistic institutions and public perception. Editor: That’s true; a self-portrait always tells a specific story by its selection. Do you think that Expressionism, emerging in this period, shifted the accessibility and power of public-facing art? Curator: Undoubtedly. Expressionism broadened who could be an artist, decentering from academic styles to emotionality, but it also came with risks. The bold expressiveness in the work opened the artist up to potential socio-political criticism. I think with any artwork it is vital to contemplate the push-pull of accessibility versus acceptability. Editor: So interesting! I learned so much about the political implications of art styles, especially Expressionism. Curator: Likewise! The dialogue emphasizes the multifaceted context within which artwork exists.