Selvportræt 1799 - 1868

Here we see Emil Ditlev Bærentzen's self-portrait. The artist’s posture and attire speak volumes about the values of his time, and the image carries emotional and cultural weight. The buttoned coat, a symbol of bourgeois respectability, is a recurring motif through centuries of portraiture. Consider how the simple act of buttoning oneself up has been used to convey formality, control, and a sense of civic duty. Think of the Roman emperors in their togas, each fold and drape signifying power. The buttoned coat motif evolves across time, reappearing in different contexts. The gesture of buttoning, seemingly simple, is repeated throughout history, adapted to new social and cultural needs. Even today, the act of ‘buttoning up’ carries the psychological weight of protection and decorum. This is the enduring power of symbols, their ability to transcend time, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. We witness how these symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, ever shifting in meaning across historical contexts.