Fugle i fangenskab. Prøvetryk til Chr. Winther og M. Rørbye, "25 Billeder for små børn" 1846

Adolph Kittendorff made this print, ‘Birds in Captivity’, as a trial proof for a children’s book in Denmark. The image presents a scene of everyday commerce, but it also invites reflection on social values. The print shows us a bird seller and a young boy crouched down, looking at the birds in cages. This was a common scene across Europe at this time, but it represents a particular paradox. On the one hand, the image promotes a sense of domesticity and familial care. Yet on the other, it shows the capture and sale of wild animals for entertainment. What does it say about Danish culture at this time that the capture and sale of animals was seen as appropriate for children? To answer these questions, we can consult a wide range of historical sources, from the writings of social commentators, to the records of animal markets. This print, therefore, can provide us with a window onto the attitudes of 19th century Denmark.