Naar Fattigdommen kommer ind af Dören, slipper Kjærleken ur Fönstret 1846 - 1908

Lorenz Frølich created this drawing with pen and brown ink, its title translates from Danish to English as "When poverty comes in at the door, love flees out the window." Made in Denmark, probably during the late 19th century, this piece speaks to enduring social anxieties about the relationship between material wealth and domestic happiness. The image sets up a stark contrast: on one side, we see a young family with a winged child, bathed in light; on the other, a cloaked and hunched figure representing poverty, entering the scene. Frølich's work reflects the cultural values of his time, where economic stability was often seen as a prerequisite for a loving home. It prompts us to consider the social conditions that shape our understanding of love and family. Examining archival materials from the period such as economic surveys and charity records can help us understand the real-life contexts that made this artwork so resonant. Ultimately, the drawing illustrates how deeply intertwined personal emotions are with broader social and economic realities.