Stående svensk bondekarl 1851

Wilhelm Marstrand created this pencil drawing of a Swedish farmer; the original is held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. What can this quick sketch tell us about the relationship between art, culture, and nationhood? Marstrand was working in the middle of the 19th century, a time when national identities were being defined and celebrated throughout Europe. Here, the figure of the Swedish farmer serves as a potent symbol. How does Marstrand want us to view this figure? Note the man’s simple clothing, his modest demeanor, and his direct gaze. The artist seems to be saying something about the values of rural life as being somehow more authentic, more connected to the true essence of Swedish identity. But remember, the social context in which art is made is critical. By examining related works, archival documents, and period writings, we can understand how artists like Marstrand contributed to the construction of national identity through their work.