Studie til helfigursportrættet af Kronprinsesse Sofie Frederikke 1790 - 1793

Jens Juel sketched this study for a full-length portrait of Crown Princess Sofie Frederikke, using red and black chalk. The composition, dominated by detailed studies of hands and arms, presents a fascinating interplay of form and function. Juel’s approach is meticulous; each line carefully delineates the contours of the hands and arms, capturing the subtleties of gesture and form. The use of red chalk gives warmth to the skin tones, while the black chalk adds depth and shadow, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the limbs. The stark contrast between the detailed studies and the minimal background emphasizes the artist's focus on these specific elements of the portrait. The open, gestural quality of the study invites the viewer to consider the process of creation. It prompts us to question how these fragmented sketches contribute to the final, polished portrait. Does the meticulous detailing of the hands imbue them with symbolic meaning, perhaps alluding to the Princess's grace, intellect, or regal bearing?