The Artist's Wife Frederikke, née Fortling 1782 - 1785

Curator: Take a look at "The Artist's Wife Frederikke, née Fortling," a miniature portrait painted between 1782 and 1785 by Cornelius Høyer. It’s housed here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: My goodness, it’s so small! And opulent, strangely enough. The delicate profile within that bold, bejeweled frame. A tiny, powerful statement, isn't it? Almost feels like peering into a precious secret. Curator: Yes, there is that inherent intimacy in miniatures, isn’t there? The close view amplifies Frederikke's calm gaze, capturing something profound. Note Høyer's technique: a Rococo dance of soft pastels, emphasizing gentle curves and smooth transitions of light. The almost sculptural treatment of her features suggests an idealized image. Editor: You're right about the sculptural aspect, which really heightens the drama given its small size! What I love is the implied narrative – her quiet confidence set against the glittering excess of the frame. Makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the stories these little treasures carried with them. And is the frame really just a frame or part of the work? I almost don’t know. Curator: Exactly! The portrait wasn’t only a work of art but likely also an intimate keepsake or jewel—meant to be worn or carried. The expensive materials underscore a deep emotional significance, of the subject but also of the value to the person that carried it! Editor: So much conveyed with such subtle brushstrokes and clever juxtaposition. A world of its own within a tiny circle, practically buzzing with feeling, framed within something sparkling, and utterly over the top! Curator: The essence of Rococo in microcosm, one might say. The jewel-like perfection reminds us how the smallest details often contain the grandest of emotions and stories.