Akershus-fæstningen 1832

Martinus Rørbye made this pencil drawing of Akershus Fortress sometime in the 1800s. Rørbye, born in Norway, later traveled extensively throughout Europe, often depicting architectural monuments and scenes from everyday life. In this sketch, the fortress, a symbol of Norwegian sovereignty, looms over the landscape. Yet, the drawing's focus is not the castle itself but the figures in the foreground: two men fishing and sailing. What does it mean to pair a symbol of state power with the common man? Perhaps Rørbye is exploring themes of national identity, suggesting that it is the everyday activities of its people which define a nation. There's also a palpable quietness to the image, a stillness that invites reflection on how we, as individuals, relate to larger structures of power. The personal and the political become entwined, suggesting that national identity is not just a grand narrative but also a collection of individual experiences.