The Painter Agnes Paulsen, the Artist's Sister 1881 - 1882

Julius Paulsen painted this oil on canvas portrait of his sister, Agnes Paulsen, who was also a painter. It is now held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. What does it mean when a male artist paints a female artist? Agnes is depicted from behind, her face and gaze are hidden from us. In late 19th century Europe, the institutional art world began slowly opening to women, but the art historical canon remained dominated by male perspectives. Though this painting does not overtly challenge social norms, its depiction of a woman artist—by her brother, also an artist—speaks to changing gender dynamics within artistic families and the wider art world of the time in Denmark. Further research into the Paulsen family might reveal even more about the complex socio-political context of this work.