Maleren Jørgen Sonne 1883

Carl Hammer created this print of the painter Jørgen Sonne, and while the date is unknown, it is currently held at the SMK. The work offers a study in contrasts through line and texture. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up forms and shadows, creating a textured surface across the portrait. The formal attire suggests a professional status, perhaps alluding to the sitter’s role in society. The use of graphic marks invites us to consider the semiotics of portraiture itself. How does Hammer’s technique capture not just the likeness of Sonne, but also a sense of his character and social standing? Consider the historical context. The portrait emerges not merely as a record but as a construction, shaped by the artist’s hand and the cultural codes of representation. It asks us to engage with the artwork's making and reception. In essence, this print challenges us to look beyond the surface, examining the layers of meaning embedded within its lines and textures. The print stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to provoke thought.