Studie af planter og en ko 1845

This is Lorenz Frølich’s delicate rendering of plants and a grazing cow, drawn with pencil on paper. Frølich lived through a period of intense nationalism in Denmark. His lifetime saw the First and Second Schleswig Wars which led to the loss of territory and a reconsideration of Danish identity. He chose instead to focus on the everyday. There's a reverence here, a quiet observation of the pastoral. The meticulous study of the plants, set against the simple cow, implies a sort of peaceful coexistence. His choice to highlight the beauty of native flora and fauna may be read as a subtle patriotic statement, emphasizing the intrinsic value of the Danish landscape and its traditions. Frølich was deeply engaged in folklore and mythology, and it comes across even here. He imbues the scene with a sense of timelessness, reminding us of the simple, enduring relationship between humanity and the natural world. It is in this shared space of observation that we, too, find a connection to the land and its inhabitants, both real and imagined.