Æselkøretøj udenfor Porta del Popolo 1836 - 1840

Wilhelm Marstrand made this pencil drawing, Æselkøretøj udenfor Porta del Popolo, with the distinctive Porta del Popolo as its backdrop. This sketch provides a glimpse into the visual culture of 19th-century Rome, a popular destination for Northern European artists. The Porta del Popolo, a historic gateway, serves as more than just scenery; it acts as a symbolic entrance into a world of artistic and cultural exploration. Marstrand, a Danish artist, reflects the fascination with Italy that shaped much of 19th-century European art. Consider the social dimensions of this artwork. It is a reminder of the Grand Tour, an educational rite of passage for upper-class Europeans and Americans. Such travel facilitated a network of artistic exchange, influencing styles and subject matter, and it also perpetuated social hierarchies, revealing who had access to cultural capital. By researching travel journals, art criticism, and exhibition records of the time, we can better understand the complex interplay of art, society, and cultural institutions.