To siddende kvindeskikkelser 1686 - 1738

Hendrik Krock made this drawing of two seated female figures with pencil on paper. Krock was a Danish artist active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and was known for his history paintings and portraits, which often served as visual statements reinforcing the cultural authority of the Danish monarchy and aristocracy. This drawing likely served as a preliminary sketch for a larger, more elaborate painting. The women's classical features and semi-nude presentation align with the period's aesthetic ideals, evoking mythological or allegorical figures. Such visual representations were tools in shaping societal norms around beauty, femininity, and status. The institutions of art, such as the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, played a pivotal role in dictating these norms, influencing artistic styles, and propagating certain values within society. Understanding Krock's drawing requires looking at the cultural and institutional frameworks that informed his work. Art historians delve into archives, period texts, and other historical resources to uncover the social functions of art.