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Portrait of Otto Marstrand's two daughters and their nanny by Wilhelm Marstrand

Wilhelm Marstrand · 1857-01-01

Wilhelm Marstrand's "Portrait of Otto Marstrand's two daughters and their nanny," painted in 1857, sparked a quiet scandal when it was first exhibited. Though it appears to be a tender scene today, its composition challenged social norms of the time.

Look closely at the nanny, placed centrally within the frame, holding one of the artist's nieces. Her direct gaze and prominent position were considered improper for a servant in 19th-century Danish society, which expected nannies to be background figures.

Marstrand, a significant artist of the Danish Golden Age, depicted his nieces and their caregiver in Frederiksberg Park with an intimacy that was unusual for the era. The painting's realism and unexpected focus on the nanny led to it being deemed too 'common' for official public display, highlighting the rigid class distinctions of the time.

This artwork, now held at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, offers a fascinating glimpse into social attitudes and artistic conventions of its period. What do you notice about the composition that might have caused such a stir?

Details

He depicted his nieces with their nanny in Frederiksberg Park.
He depicted his nieces with their nanny in Frederiksberg Park.
It was considered highly improper for a nanny to be so central.
It was considered highly improper for a nanny to be so central.
Draped around her and the children, this bold splash of color unifies the composition and suggests warmth and protection.
Draped around her and the children, this bold splash of color unifies the composition and suggests warmth and protection.
Her soft gaze and slightly parted lips create a sense of innocence and gentle curiosity.
Her soft gaze and slightly parted lips create a sense of innocence and gentle curiosity.
Her profile view and focused expression draw the viewer into her world, suggesting a moment of quiet observation.
Her profile view and focused expression draw the viewer into her world, suggesting a moment of quiet observation.
Transcript

This sweet portrait of children and their nanny feels timeless. But in 1857, it caused a quiet scandal in Denmark. The artist was Wilhelm Marstrand, a prominent figure. He depicted his nieces with their nanny in Frederiksberg Park. It was considered highly improper for a nanny to be so central. Especially with a direct gaze, equal to the family members. The painting was deemed too 'common' for public display.