Andet prøveblad i stylografi med munkehoved, heste m.m. 1845

This is a stylographic test sheet featuring a monk's head, horses, and other figures by Wilhelm Marstrand. Marstrand lived during the Danish Golden Age, a time of national romanticism and burgeoning middle-class identity. These sketches offer a glimpse into Marstrand's artistic process, which often reflected the societal norms and class distinctions of his time. The figures, with their distinctive attire and expressions, hint at the various social roles and power dynamics that were at play in 19th-century Denmark. Note how the detailed rendering of the monk's head contrasts with the more playful, dynamic sketches of the horses. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the different facets of human and animal existence, as well as the ways in which art can capture both the serious and the lighthearted aspects of life. Marstrand’s sketches provide insight into the social fabric of his time.