Huset i skoven 1849

Vilhelm Kyhn made this print called 'Huset i skoven' or 'House in the Woods' sometime in the 19th century. It depicts a simple dwelling nestled amidst the dense foliage of a forest, a lone figure standing outside. Kyhn was a Danish artist who advocated for a truly "Danish" art. But what did that mean? During his time, the art academy was the primary institution for artists, and it promoted the study of classical and international styles. Kyhn instead encouraged artists to study the local landscape and depict the lives of ordinary people. This was at a time when Denmark was trying to define its national identity. Kyhn’s etching can be seen as part of this movement to portray the Danish countryside and common folk. But what is really Danish? What are the politics of such imagery? To answer these questions, we can look to the art criticism of the period, the writings of artists, and the history of the art academy to provide a more complete picture.