Nytryk af smedien, to stubmøller, lamaen og Helene grav 1840s

Andreas Flinch created this print of various scenes using etching, a technique favored for its detailed lines and tonal variations. Made in Denmark, it gives us a glimpse into the 19th century, a time of significant social and economic transition. Consider the choice of imagery: windmills and rural scenes evoke an idealised version of Danish heritage. But, this was also a time of increasing urbanisation and industrialisation, processes that threatened the traditions of Danish society. By representing specific elements of rural life Flinch’s print engages with a wider artistic trend of cultural preservation. The institutional history of the museum here is also significant; what did it mean to collect and display such images in a period of rapid change? Understanding these images fully requires exploring a range of sources: historical documents, cultural studies and art criticism all shed light on how art reflects and shapes its own social context.