Christen Christensen. Medaljør 1824 - 1864

This is Christen Christensen. Medaljør, a stipple engraving by Caroline Behrend. The monochromatic print employs a dense and delicate network of tiny dots to build form and volume. This technique gives the portrait a soft, almost ethereal quality. Behrend’s composition centres on the sitter’s upper body, cropped just below the waist. The subject is turned slightly to his left, his gaze directed outward, engaging the viewer directly. His attire, a buttoned jacket with horizontal braids, denotes a certain formality, contrasting with the intimate rendering achieved through the stippling method. The play of light and shadow across Christensen's face and clothing gives the portrait depth, enhancing the texture of his hair and the folds of his garments. The chair back behind him suggests a space, but the lack of a defined background keeps the focus tightly on the figure. This concentrated use of form and light emphasizes the sitter’s presence. Behrend uses these formal elements to invite us into a personal, yet carefully constructed, encounter. The artwork becomes a site where we, as viewers, can reflect on representation and perception.