Lægen V. E. Blom 1846 - 1849

P.C. Skovgaard created this drawing of 'Lægen V. E. Blom' using pen and ink. This portrait, now held at the SMK in Denmark, depicts a man in military attire, calmly smoking a pipe. The piece offers a glimpse into the cultural norms of 19th-century Denmark, where military service and tobacco were common aspects of male identity. The sitter’s uniform indicates his participation in the military institution, a pillar of Danish society at the time. Skovgaard’s choice of subject and his detailed rendering of the uniform suggest a level of respect for the military. However, the informal pose, with the subject smoking a pipe, could also be seen as a subtle critique of the rigid structures of military life. To understand this piece fully, scholars could consult military archives, social histories of Denmark, and Skovgaard's personal writings to uncover the nuances of his social commentary.