Prøveblad med selvportræt og ansigtsstudier i profil 1821

Ernst Meyer created this tiny sketch sheet with pen and ink, filled with portraits and figure studies. Meyer was a Danish artist, part of a generation that ventured to Italy, specifically Rome, to develop their artistic skills, supported by the Danish crown. This exodus of artists shaped the cultural landscape of Denmark, which became an extension of the artistic movements happening in Italy. Look closely, and you'll see that Meyer's sketches include studies of women, children, and men in profile. The details of their faces and clothing, though quickly drawn, hint at the social roles and expectations of people in the 19th century. A figure in the center suggests a self-portrait wearing a fur hat. This was a way for Meyer to explore his identity and place within this artistic community. To fully appreciate Meyer's artistic contribution, we can look at the records of the Danish art academy, letters from artists in Rome, and museum collections. These resources help us understand the social networks and institutional support that enabled Meyer and his peers to flourish, connecting them with a broader European artistic identity.