Anders Stephansen 1830 - 1896

Franz Wilhelm Obermann created this print of Anders Stephansen, whose dates are unknown, using engraving. Consider the cultural moment in which this portrait was produced. Obermann, who was working in the mid-19th century, contributed to a growing visual vocabulary which helped to define the Danish national identity. This image immortalizes Stephansen, a school administrator, and situates him as a figure of authority. Portraits like this one helped to solidify the notion of a professional class in Denmark. While ostensibly objective, the image participates in broader power structures by validating and celebrating particular roles within society. It invites us to think about how representation is always an act of conferring status and shaping collective memory.