Christen Købke painted this intimate oil sketch, titled *Portrait of the Animal Painter C.D. Gebauer*, in Copenhagen in the first half of the 19th century. The painting is a glimpse into the artistic circles of the Danish Golden Age. Købke's informal portrayal of Gebauer, a well-regarded painter of animals, suggests a close relationship between the two men. This was a period when artists in Denmark were self-consciously constructing a national identity through their art. This was a period where artists turned inwards, depicting scenes of everyday life and portraits of each other. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts played a central role in shaping artistic styles and careers. Købke, a student at the Academy, painted Gebauer, who was a professor there. To understand the social dynamics in this painting, it is useful to consult archival material such as the records of the Academy. This helps to create a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between these artists. The value of art lies in its historical and institutional context.