Johanens H. Wessel 1787

Curator: Here we have J.F. Clemens’ engraving of Johanens H. Wessel from 1787, held here at the Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Immediately striking. The intensity of that gaze! It feels both serene and sharply intelligent, all captured in monochrome. It projects such strength. Curator: A great observation! This piece uses a Neoclassical style, visible through its clear lines and emphasis on rationality and order. How do you feel that aesthetic ties into the portrait's emotionality? Editor: It is compelling! Neoclassicism was heavily influenced by Enlightenment values and often reflects those back onto the subjects of its artwork, doesn't it? Looking at the time of this portrait's creation, 1787, and then the face itself, I am drawn into the man's world, but aware of the power dynamics at work in the work's creation. There's the clear privilege involved in having one's portrait produced at the time. I'd be interested to learn more about who Wessel was and who he represented. Curator: Wessel was a well-known Norwegian-Danish poet and playwright. It's fascinating how the artist uses linear engraving to create a sense of depth and character. Each line, while simple, conveys a remarkable amount. Clemens captured not just Wessel's physical likeness but something of his spirit too. Notice how he portrays him almost like a Roman Senator, emphasizing his public role through the image. Editor: Exactly! By connecting him to those classical figures, Clemens imbued Wessel with historical gravitas. Was this image meant to preserve and mythologize a figure during the Enlightenment or reinforce the era’s ideas and values about men of that stature? These elements tell a story that weaves personal legacy into a wider historical and cultural context. Curator: Absolutely! In these careful marks, we see a dedication to enduring symbolic presence, one rooted in Enlightenment values of reason and representation. This detailed engraving has provided insights and invited critical perspectives regarding art's role in shaping historical narratives. Thank you. Editor: Yes, a fantastic portrait that reminds us of the complexities inherent in celebrating historical figures, a work with a deep cultural value!