Ernst Meyer med benene kastet over en stoleryg 1797 - 1861

Ernst Meyer made this sketch, "Ernst Meyer med benene kastet over en stoleryg," with pencil on paper. Meyer, who was a Danish genre painter, spent a significant portion of his career in Italy. Here, Meyer depicts himself in a casual pose, legs slung over the back of a chair, in what may have been a moment of private reflection or relaxation. It invites us to consider the artist's identity beyond his public persona. The informality of the pose challenges the traditional, often idealized, self-portrait. Instead, we're presented with a candid glimpse into Meyer's life. Meyer's time in Italy exposed him to different cultural norms, and this may have influenced his willingness to break from the more rigid portraiture conventions of his time. This piece reflects the more relaxed and bohemian lifestyle often associated with artists abroad. It reflects Meyer's negotiation of his identity as both a Dane and an artist immersed in Italian culture.