Udsigten over København set fra Frederiksberg bakke. Baggrundsstudie til portræt af Frederik den sjette som und kronprins 1781

Jens Juel made this landscape study of Copenhagen from Frederiksberg in preparation for a portrait of Frederik VI. The pencil on paper captures a wide view with a light touch. Note how the marks vary. Near the foreground, the lines are more deliberate, capturing the undulating hills. Further away, they become more diffuse and suggestive, to capture the atmosphere of the city. While the drawing is preparatory, it’s more than just a quick sketch. It’s a study in tonal values, where the artist is trying to figure out how to represent an atmosphere. Think about the artist making this drawing. He stands on a hill, with a piece of paper in front of him, using the graphite to capture what he sees. This kind of direct observation was gaining traction in the late 18th century, when artists saw it as important to capture the world as they saw it. This way of working was related to a broader cultural interest in scientific observation, and the value of direct experience.