Selvportræt 1899

Curator: This is P.S. Krøyer’s self-portrait from 1899, an etching currently housed at the SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. It's an intriguing glimpse into the artist's psyche, rendered with a direct gaze. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is how unfinished it feels. There’s a delicate, almost tentative quality to the lines, making the man vulnerable in some way. Curator: Etchings allow for a layered process of creation. The artist could have reworked the plate multiple times. I’m interested in how that affected Krøyer's final image. The hat, for example, suggests work, leisure, or perhaps, an attempt to both elevate and democratize the image through the materiality of his labor. Editor: Yes, I see that, too. The hat almost crowns him, yet it is a working-class symbol. There’s a fascinating contrast there. More than that, the eyes tell such a piercing story of both determination and perhaps… internal struggle. The face emerges from the shadows behind him like memory itself. I wonder if Krøyer was grappling with his identity. Curator: Considering his battle with mental illness during that period, this raw portrait becomes very telling. He gives us an interesting presentation through his choice of garments; they were likely constructed in series in his studio. Editor: Exactly. Beyond being an etching, which democratizes the image via reproducible process, Krøyer used his visage, adorned with symbolic and emotional intensity. The slightly askew cravat speaks volumes; the rawness feels revealing, personal, but also performed. Curator: Interesting how the notion of the studio emerges again. It's also a product meant for consumption by the masses, if purchased. What do we see reflected? Editor: Ultimately, a moment of looking deeply, facilitated by the artist. We observe a public figure inviting the public into the nuances of private reflection. Curator: A fantastic synthesis, a symbolic dialogue rendered on copper then transferred onto paper. Thank you. Editor: An absolute pleasure to unravel Krøyer's story.