Synet 1796

Gerhard Ludvig Lahde made this print, Synet, in Denmark, but the exact date is unknown. It presents us with a satire of the art world, using visual codes and historical associations to create meaning. In the upper register, we see Apollo, the god of the arts, enthroned on a cloud. Below, figures representing different social classes and professions are gathered. A peasant holds a flag with a raven, while men in more refined clothing hold musical scores. The expressions on their faces are exaggerated, almost grotesque. In the foreground, musicians play. Prints like this circulated widely and were a form of popular entertainment and social commentary. Denmark in the late 18th century was a society with strict social hierarchies and an emerging middle class. The print critiques the institutions of art, perhaps suggesting that artistic taste is dictated by social status rather than genuine appreciation. To fully understand this work, we can look to period sources such as newspapers, pamphlets, and other prints. Art is not created in a vacuum. It’s a product of social and institutional forces.