Illustration til "Hvorledes Dagen gaaer for Lille Lise" 1863

Lorenz Frølich made this illustration for "Hvorledes Dagen gaaer for Lille Lise" using engraving techniques. In this piece, we see a snapshot of domestic life, likely in mid-19th century Denmark. The image centres on a father-daughter interaction, a common theme in art reflecting bourgeois values of family and childhood innocence. The setting, a comfortable domestic interior, reinforces notions of stability and privacy. But let’s consider the power dynamics at play. The father, seated and in a position of authority, is receiving a message via his daughter, a go-between in some kind of communication with the mother. What might it mean for family members to need to use go-betweens? To delve deeper, we might explore Frølich's involvement with the Danish Golden Age and his role in shaping national identity through art. Archival research into the cultural context of Danish literature and social customs of the time could further illuminate the narratives embedded in this seemingly simple illustration.