Peder Paars 1. bog 2. sang. Venus stiger op af kisten 1863

Wilhelm Marstrand sketched “Peder Paars 1. bog 2. sang. Venus stiger op af kisten” using pen and brown ink. Marstrand lived during the Danish Golden Age, a period of national romanticism. This sketch depicts a scene from Ludvig Holberg's epic poem "Peder Paars," a satirical work that critiques social norms and the aristocracy. Here, we see Venus emerging from a chest, a moment ripe with comedic and ironic undertones. Holberg used humor to expose societal pretensions, questioning the status quo through his literary works. Marstrand, deeply rooted in his time, mirrors Holberg’s satirical approach in his art. The sketch’s rough lines and animated figures capture the chaotic energy of the scene. The expressions on the faces of the onlookers reveal a mix of curiosity and bewilderment, underscoring the absurdity of the situation. This piece invites reflection on the ways we uphold or challenge tradition, both in art and in society, while highlighting the personal dimensions of societal critique through satire and humor.