A Barber's Pewter Jug 1843 - 1847

Lorenz Frølich created this still life of a pewter jug during the 19th century, an era that saw many changes to the relationship between artistic institutions and their publics. Notice how the jug is presented as a common object, yet set against a dark background to give it a sense of importance. During the 1800s, paintings of everyday items became popular, reflecting a broader interest in the lives of ordinary people. Museums were developing as public institutions, and art was no longer just for the wealthy elite. Frølich was Danish and his work can be seen as part of a wider trend in Europe. Artists like him were beginning to question the traditional subjects of art and the institutions that supported them. By studying Frølich’s painting and the art of his contemporaries, we can understand how social and economic changes influenced the art world and opened it up to new ideas and audiences.