Portrait of Mrs Wad

This archteypal neo-classical portrait clearly reveals the influence of Jacques-Louis David, under whom Eckersberg trained during his sojourn in Paris from 1810 to 1813. The principles the artist learned in Paris were reinforced by a further three years spent in Rome, where he shared a house with Bertel Thorvaldsen, who adhered strictly to neo-classical norms and enjoyed Europe-wide fame. The present work was executed shortly after Eckersberg's return to Denmark and is typical of a pictorial formula highly sought after by Copenhagen's newly moneyed middle classes.