Paul Holst Borgen

Asta Nørregaard mastered the portrayal of children in the upper class. 

We see examples of them in velvet suits and white muslin dresses, with the latest toy in hand, and one can almost feel the inheritance that will be bestowed onto them… 

In this portrait, we see Paul Holst Borgen – son of the Supreme Court lawyer with the same name, who was amongst the social class that typically sought out Nørregaard's portraiture work. 

Paul has not yet put on trousers, but is, as was customary, wearing a short dress and long stockings.  

His blond locks are uncut, and he almost appears like an androgynous child.  

He’s holding a riding crop, or whip, perhaps used as a masculine symbol. And, at his feet there’s a small goat on wheels.  

Placed against a neutral grey-brown wall, the background emphasizes his white lace collar and wide, white belt. 

Towards the end of her career, Nørregaard mainly painted portraits 

Many in the country's upper class commissioned her to portray them and their family members.  

Her extraordinary ability to paint realistically, and yet still with individual characteristics, was perhaps something her clients appreciated.