Guldtrækker Loria 1854

H.P. Hansen created this etching, “Guldtrækker Loria”, with drypoint in 1894. Hansen lived during a time of significant social and political change in Denmark, marked by industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of a new middle class. The figure is wearing a long coat, typical of upper class men in the 19th century, holding a walking stick, and a hat. His posture, in profile, shows a kind of dandy preoccupied with his appearance. The title refers to the profession “Guldtrækker”, someone who draws gold threads. The portrait could be interpreted as a commentary on social class, gender, and identity. The gold thread drawer represents the emerging middle class, aspiring to wealth, yet also perhaps caught between traditional values and the allure of modernity. The figure's identity is constructed through external symbols of status and wealth. It invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of social change, and the ways in which individuals navigate the complexities of identity in a rapidly evolving society.