Portræt af en ung kvinde i frakke med pelskrave og hat med slør 1886

L.A. Ring painted this portrait of a young woman in a fur-collared coat and veiled hat with oil on canvas. The thick fur collar suggests both warmth and luxury, a status symbol of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The skilled brushwork captures the soft texture of the fur, inviting a tactile response. Ring's application of paint mimics the layering of textiles and surfaces; the veil is a light screen, softening her features, and the hat's adornments add texture and depth. The way Ring has depicted these materials raises questions about labor. The fur, veil, and feathers would have been produced by skilled workers, contributing to a larger culture of consumption and display. By focusing on the textures and materials of clothing, Ring draws attention to the social and economic forces that shape identity. In doing so, he elevates the material culture of everyday life to the level of fine art.