Selvportræt 1840

This is a self-portrait made in pencil by Wilhelm Marstrand, whose life spanned much of the 19th century. The direct gaze of the sitter speaks volumes, conveying a sense of self-assuredness, almost confrontational. Looking at those eyes, I'm reminded of portraits of Roman emperors, where the subject's gaze was a deliberate tool to project power and authority. Even earlier, ancient Egyptian sculpture employs this very effect. Yet here, the direct gaze is not merely a display of power, but perhaps an invitation, a challenge to the viewer to truly see and understand the man behind the image. The gaze, a powerful symbol, has passed through time, shifting in meaning, mirroring our collective subconscious. It reappears in modern art as a way to question and subvert traditional power dynamics. In Marstrand’s self-portrait, it’s a potent force engaging viewers, a timeless motif that resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings across history.