Regnskab 1847 1847

Martinus Rørbye created this page from an account book in 1847, using ink on paper. But what does it mean to display financial records in a museum? Looking closely, we see neat columns of handwritten entries in Danish currency. Rørbye was living through a period of significant social and economic change in Denmark. The rise of a merchant class coincided with the decline of the old feudal system, and Denmark was transitioning to a market economy. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where Rørbye trained, played a role in shaping artistic taste and promoting certain social values during this period. But this page offers an intimate glimpse into daily life, in defiance of institutionalized taste. Historians might consult archives, economic data, and personal papers to fully understand the context of this artwork. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is always shaped by social and institutional forces.