Orla Lehmann 1842

This portrait of Orla Lehmann was made in 1842 by Andreas Flinch. Here, we see the sitter's disheveled hair is the most striking element, immediately calling to mind the "Sturm und Drang"—"Storm and Stress"—movement. The windblown hair is not merely a stylistic choice. It is a symbol of untamed passion, a visual echo of the inner turmoil and revolutionary spirit that defined the era. Consider, for example, depictions of Alexander the Great with similarly wild locks, symbolizing leadership and heroic strength. In Lehmann's portrait, this echoes across time. Such a rendering suggests the subject's internal state; this is visual shorthand that has carried through time, reappearing on the heads of heroes, leaders and artists who represent a break from convention. This is a symbolic and subconscious way to reflect a state of revolution.