Sanderumgaards have VI 1800

J.F. Clemens made this delicate wash drawing of Sanderumgaard around the turn of the 19th century, a period defined by Denmark's neutral stance during the Napoleonic Wars and a burgeoning sense of national identity. The image presents an idyllic scene, a vision of nature carefully manicured in line with the aesthetic sensibilities of the time. As we consider this artwork, we might think about the concept of 'nature' itself as a cultural construct. Clemens was part of a social elite, and his art reflects the values and interests of that class. The gardens he depicts were spaces of leisure and contemplation, embodying a certain privilege. What is included, and excluded, from the landscape? What does it mean to have the time and resources to cultivate such a space? It is an ordered and controlled environment in which nature is carefully curated, shaped by human intent and design. As you stand before this image, allow yourself to consider the complex interplay between nature, culture, and class that it represents.