Family portraits in the Danish Golden Age : An interpretation of three family portraits by Emilius Bærentzen, Martinus Rørbye and Wilhelm Bendz

Abstract

The first half of the 19th century is considered the Golden Age of Danish art. It was a period with economic problems for the country and for many people. As a result new values and ideals became important with emphasis on family and work. The middle classes gained more influence and also became more interested in art. The period was not called a golden age until the end of the century, when the artistic value of the works was more recognized. Nowadays Golden Age portraits and landscape paintings are especially admired.  In this essay I have investigated three family portraits painted 1829-1830 in order to find out who the sitters were, how they were depicted and in what settings. In my view the portraits tell stories of the sitters and the way families adhered to the ideals of family life and diligence. There was a division between male and female spheres and also between private and public parts of family life. As a result he family portraits do not only show what the persons and their homes looked like, the contents of the painting becomes a story presenting them to viewers, although, perhaps, in an idealized version of reality