Portræt af Susanne Elisabeth Holm, kaldet Julie, Juels første forlovede 1777 - 1779

Curator: Standing before us is a pencil drawing titled "Portræt af Susanne Elisabeth Holm, kaldet Julie, Juels første forlovede," created by Jens Juel between 1777 and 1779. A very long title, which tells us so much right away! Editor: Immediately striking is the lightness of touch, almost ethereal. The soft greys of the pencil give her an otherworldly quality. Curator: Indeed. Consider the neoclassical style, prevalent at the time. It idealized form, seeking harmony and balance, which is visually displayed in the oval composition. It is interesting how Juel worked exclusively in pencil here, without the introduction of bolder shading, inks, and washes. Editor: It's precisely that dedication to a single medium that I find compelling. Look closely at how the pencil work, especially around the face and hair, builds up tonality through almost obsessive hatching. What kind of paper do you think this is, and where might it have come from? Curator: I believe, judging by the slight tooth and warmth, that it's laid paper. It speaks to a society that placed great value on refinement. Consider the societal pressures on young women of that era; how much control did Julie, as she was known, really possess over her own life, destiny and personal image? Editor: Exactly, that obsessive detail of the hairstyle could take a full day to create, making the body itself into art material as the product of strenuous labour. The visible details become markers of wealth, status and leisure as signifiers of what to buy and how to maintain appearances, which had repercussions down the economic chain of consumption. Curator: Yes, the drawing operates as more than a mere likeness. As Juel's first fiancée, this image freezes a moment of their relationship in time. Editor: A fascinating peek into the labor, the lifestyle and social expectations behind this era. I really want to know where he purchased his pencils. Curator: Ultimately, the drawing is evidence of neoclassical artistic values as it immortalizes his young partner for eternity.