Blyantsstudier af figurer og køretøjer 1834

This is a sheet of pencil studies of figures and vehicles by Martinus Rørbye. We don't know the date, but he was active in Denmark in the first half of the 19th century. Rørbye trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, an institution which played a central role in defining the cultural identity of the nation at this time. The artist’s focus here is on capturing the daily life of middle-class Copenhageners. There are studies of carriages and carts alongside sketches of figures in conversation. The top hats and tailored coats worn by the men tell us that these were members of the bourgeoisie. These citizens were the beneficiaries of the economic growth that followed the Napoleonic wars and the growth of liberal institutions. The artist's concern with this class suggests an identification with their values. The historian might consult newspapers, diaries, and the records of institutions such as the Royal Danish Academy to understand the role that art played in the Denmark of this period.