Peter Gerschau 1843

This is Wilhelm Heuer’s lithograph of Peter Gerschau, currently held at the SMK in Copenhagen. The lithograph was a new medium at the time, which allowed for relatively inexpensive reproduction. This print could have been made for circulation among Gerschau’s peers, or for a wider public keen to purchase images of prominent figures. Peter Gerschau was a prominent figure in Danish society, and his formal attire with the jacket buttoned high is a visual marker of his social standing. Denmark in the 19th century was still very much a hierarchical society. Commissioning and distributing this kind of portrait was one way for elites to reinforce their position. To fully understand this work, we can research the political and economic history of Denmark. By looking at sources like newspapers, journals, and institutional records, we can develop a richer picture of the society that shaped this portrait and gave it meaning.