Mindeblad over troppernes hjemkomst efter krigen 1848-1850 1850 - 1867

Curator: Immediately, the print feels like an elaborate stage set for a theatrical tableau of Danish domesticity. The formal composition, almost symmetrically arranged, leads the eye towards the centre. Editor: Yes, the artist Emil Bærentzen captured a potent sense of national pride after the First Schleswig War. This lithograph, using ink and drawing techniques, is entitled 'Mindeblad over troppernes hjemkomst efter krigen 1848-1850', commemorates the homecoming of troops between 1850 and 1867. It hangs here at the SMK. Curator: Observe how the intertwined family scenes and the festive parade blend seamlessly. The artist uses light and shadow to create distinct areas of interest within the print. What strikes me most is how the composition is clearly defined by two symmetrical interiors framing the external street scene, marked by the floral arches and crowds. The romantic style, juxtaposing scenes of familial embrace and uniformed soldiers, reveals that central parade. Editor: And this speaks volumes about the period's values, doesn’t it? It's more than just homecoming; it’s about weaving the soldiers back into the fabric of civilian life, legitimizing them into the Danish family unit, underscoring the state-building narrative post-war. The imagery serves as propaganda. The celebration acts like symbolic healing. Curator: I would say it operates almost as a diptych; there’s the public spectacle and private relief on display, linked formally through the arch. Do you see the use of curvilinear forms which underscores a sense of unity throughout? I want to linger on that arch as it becomes the key structure in our understanding. Editor: Agreed. Its ornate detailing also implies official patronage or at least endorsement from societal elites. You notice that the scenes almost act as a play within a play? Bærentzen creates an artificial construct to show Denmark's social and emotional aspirations at the time. It's powerful! Curator: Definitely. By employing a lithographic method, Bærentzen ensures that these cultural ideas are disseminated amongst an audience, therefore embedding the values within them. Editor: Examining it further, we realize its success lies in how Bærentzen transformed national anxieties and then, neatly, celebrated triumphs into a manageable, domestic narrative. Curator: It reveals just how meticulously constructed national sentiment can be through seemingly innocuous genre scenes. Editor: And just how impactful art is as a historical document! Thank you for clarifying its composition and symbolism for our visitors.