Portræt af købmand Andreas Christiansen i Flensborg 1792 - 1879

This portrait of Andreas Christiansen, a merchant from Flensborg, was drawn by C.A. Jensen using graphite on paper. The artist's choice of materials speaks to a time of growing industrialisation, where graphite pencils were becoming more accessible, yet the handmade drawing still retained its value. The subtle variations in tone achieved with graphite, from delicate shading to bolder outlines, give a sense of the sitter's character. It's important to note that this isn't a painting, with layers of colour built up over time, but a direct and immediate impression. Graphite allowed Jensen to capture a likeness efficiently, reflecting the growing demand for portraiture among the rising merchant class. The work's significance lies not only in its aesthetic qualities, but also in its connection to broader social and economic shifts. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple materials and processes can reveal complex stories about labor, class, and the changing landscape of artistic production.