Fjeldlandskab 1883

Lars Møller made this landscape in pencil in Denmark, at the turn of the 20th century. We see a vast panorama, neatly contained within the pages of a sketchbook. This was a period of intense national self-reflection in Denmark, especially after losing territory to Prussia in 1864. Artists turned to the landscape as a means of defining and celebrating Danish identity, even in places like Greenland. The sketchbook itself is significant. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts played a crucial role in shaping artistic practices. Sketching from nature was central to academic training. By emphasizing direct observation and technical skill, the Academy sought to elevate Danish art. By studying Møller's landscape in relation to the Academy's teachings and the broader cultural context, we gain insight into the social forces that shaped artistic production in Denmark. Historians consult archives and exhibition records to understand the institutional and social factors influencing artists like Møller.