Plantestudier og blyantsrids 1849

P.C. Skovgaard made these plant studies with a pencil sometime during the 19th century. In this period, the study of natural sciences was gaining traction, influenced by Romanticism's emphasis on nature and scientific advancements. Skovgaard’s detailed drawings may have served as studies for larger landscape paintings, fitting into the broader cultural interest in botany and naturalism. These drawings reflect Denmark’s burgeoning intellectual environment at a time when artists were increasingly interested in capturing the local flora with scientific accuracy. This convergence of art and science was typical of the 19th century, mirroring a societal desire to explore and understand the natural world. By examining sketchbooks and botanical records from the period, we gain greater insight into the artistic intentions and the cultural values of the time. The meaning of Skovgaard’s artwork becomes contingent on its social and institutional context.