Augusteftermiddag ved Susaa 1895

Editor: So this is "Augusteftermiddag ved Susaa", or "August Afternoon by Susaa", an etching by Axel Holm from 1895, currently residing at the SMK. It strikes me as a very subdued and quiet piece, with the hazy sky and still water. How do you interpret its historical context? Curator: This etching exemplifies the rise of landscape art as a reflection of national identity. Late 19th-century Denmark experienced a surge in artistic nationalism, seeking to define what it meant to be Danish through its landscapes. Holm's choice of the Susaa River, a relatively obscure location, rather than dramatic, romanticized vistas, might suggest a focus on the ordinary, the "everydayness" of Danish life, wouldn't you agree? How do you think that links to public perception? Editor: I can see that. So, was there an attempt to democratize art, making it relatable to a wider audience? Curator: Precisely. The etching, as a print medium, inherently lends itself to broader distribution compared to unique paintings. Consider how institutions like the SMK were evolving then, aiming to make art accessible. The intimate scale and tonal qualities of the etching also encourage a close, personal viewing experience. Do you see parallels to how photography also provided affordable visual documentation of the period? Editor: That’s a great point, I didn't think about that. It's like this etching captured the national spirit in a portable, reproducible format, accessible to more than just the elite. Curator: Yes. And don't forget, this idyllic scene also consciously ignores the socio-economic realities of the time: industrialization, urbanization and agricultural changes that actually altered these very landscapes. It's as much about what it includes as what it omits, presenting a carefully curated version of "Danishness." Editor: So it's both a reflection and a construction of identity. I never thought of it that way before! Curator: Art provides an interesting way to question popular ideas and culture. It is so much more than surface level.