Krog og Simon Levi 1867

Wilhelm Marstrand created this pen and brown ink drawing, titled ‘Krog og Simon Levi’, whose date is unknown. The Danish Golden Age, the period in which Marstrand worked, was marked by burgeoning national identity and cultural pride. However, this progress existed alongside rigid social hierarchies, and the dynamics between different classes and ethnicities were often fraught. Marstrand captures a moment between two men whose clothing, stature and comportment position them on opposite sides of the social divide. The figure on the left, Krog, appears stout, clutching his hat and papers, embodying a certain level of discomfort. Simon Levi, taller and self-assured, strikes a contrasting figure of poised authority. Marstrand’s detailed rendering of their physical appearances and attire invites us to consider the power dynamics at play. The work serves as a stark reminder of how deeply ingrained social and economic disparities can be. It encourages us to reflect on our own perceptions and biases, and to consider how societal structures shape our interactions and understanding of one another.