Portræt af Sophie Frederikke Raffenberg 1830 - 1833

This is Wilhelm Marstrand's portrait of Sophie Frederikke Raffenberg, made with graphite, likely in the mid-19th century. During this period, portraiture served as a powerful marker of social status and identity, particularly for women. Here, Raffenberg is depicted with delicate lines that capture her poised demeanor, emphasized by her elegant dress with puffed sleeves and elaborate headwear. The emphasis on her fashionable appearance speaks to the societal expectations placed on women of her time, where beauty and presentation were closely tied to their value and social standing. Marstrand, a well-regarded artist, likely aimed to capture not just Raffenberg's likeness but also her essence as a woman of a certain class. What does it mean to be captured, posed, and presented in such a manner? This image invites us to reflect on the complex interplay of gender, class, and representation in art.