Ung dame og fiskehandler 1810 - 1873

This small drawing of a young lady and a fishmonger was made by Wilhelm Marstrand in 19th-century Denmark. The drawing depicts a social encounter; on the one hand, we have the fishmonger with his pipe, his patterned jacket, and working boots. On the other, we have the ‘ung dame’ in her draped gown. The fish on the platter mediates between them. The drawing’s meaning emerges from the way it plays with established visual codes of class and gender in Danish society. This was a period when Danish art was becoming increasingly focused on depicting scenes from everyday life, reflecting a growing interest in national identity and social realism. Marstrand, educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, often explored themes of social interaction in his work. Understanding the nuances of class, gender and the art market in 19th century Denmark helps us to better appreciate the social commentary embedded within this seemingly simple drawing. A little historical research can really bring these images to life.