Giftemålet ved Leiren 1742 - 1809

This is a hand-colored print titled "Giftemålet ved Leiren" or "The Marriage at the Camp," made by Johann Gottlieb Friedrich in the late 18th century. The printmaking process, likely etching or engraving, allowed for the creation of multiple impressions, making images like this accessible to a wide audience. The added color, applied by hand, brings a lively, if somewhat crude, dimension to the scene. We see a blacksmith, in the midst of what appears to be a wedding ceremony, set against the backdrop of a military encampment. Horseshoes hang above, subtly suggesting the occupation of blacksmithing. The tools of his trade are strewn nearby. Given the context of the military camp, the blacksmith’s work would have been essential. The print provides insight into the social dynamics of the time, hinting at the intersection of labor, military life, and social rituals. It reminds us that even seemingly mundane occupations are integral to the larger fabric of society.