Portræt af Henriette Frederikke Moe 1787

Jens Juel sketched this delicate portrait of Henriette Frederikke Moe in the late 18th century, a period defined by both the Enlightenment’s rationalism and the burgeoning romantic sensibility. Juel, a leading portraitist in Denmark, navigated the complex social dynamics of his time, capturing the likenesses of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie alike. His portraits often reflect the sitter's social standing and inner life, adhering to but also gently subverting the conventions of portraiture. Here, Henriette is depicted with a soft, almost ethereal quality. There's a wistful gaze in her eyes, a hint of the romantic era's fascination with emotion and introspection. The loose, flowing lines of the drawing contribute to a sense of movement and vitality. Rather than presenting a grand, formal image, Juel offers us a glimpse of individual character, subtly questioning the rigid expectations placed on women in that era. This work, through its understated elegance, invites us to consider the personal stories that lie beneath the surface of history.