To træstammer, der læner sig mod hinanden 1870

P.C. Skovgaard captured these two tree trunks leaning on each other in a simple pencil drawing, part of a larger sketchbook now held at the SMK. Skovgaard lived during a time of national romanticism in Denmark, when artists turned to nature to define a unique cultural identity. These leaning trunks can be interpreted as an expression of interdependence and mutual support, themes often explored in the context of human relationships and community. In a patriarchal society, such a representation could also reflect on the relationship between individuals or social classes, hinting at how different parts of society support one another. Skovgaard's choice to depict this intimate moment in nature draws us closer to the intimate connections of the natural world, reflecting on how such relationships mirror our own emotional and social lives.