Prøveblad med selvportræt og ansigtsstudier i profil 1821

This is a sketch of faces, including a self-portrait and studies in profile, by Ernst Meyer. We don't have the exact date for this work, but it’s useful to consider Meyer’s lifetime in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as we look at this piece. Meyer, like many artists, was deeply influenced by the societal norms surrounding portraiture. Typically portraiture was for the elite, but here we have a looser, more intimate take. What do you think of when you look at the woman on the bottom left? Note her clothing and pose and how they contrast with the other faces. In a way, this work asks us to consider the role of portraiture in constructing identities and power dynamics. By offering a glimpse into the artist's process, Meyer invites us to ponder not just who is being represented, but how and why. It’s a quiet, yet profound reflection on selfhood and representation.