Spadsereturen 1829 - 1899

H.P. Hansen created the print "Spadsereturen," using engraving, a medium that renders a high level of detail to capture a moment of social exchange. In this scene we see a carriage with men in top hats; two women in full skirts, one looking away, seemingly upset, being consoled; and another woman, looking onwards. The work encapsulates the restricted roles and expectations placed upon women in 19th century bourgeois society, particularly concerning their emotional expression. The detailed rendering of clothing and setting emphasizes the importance of appearances and social decorum during this period. This print invites us to reflect on the tension between societal expectations and individual emotions, echoing broader questions about gender and class within 19th century Danish culture.