Studie af en kuffert og en kappe 1832

Martinus Rørbye rendered this study of a suitcase and cape in pencil on paper. Rørbye, born in Norway, came of age during a period of immense political and social change in Europe, marked by rising nationalism and burgeoning colonial endeavors. Given this context, this image takes on a new resonance, doesn't it? Here, the suitcase represents the promise of journeys, of exploration and adventure, while the cape hints at the identities travelers might assume as they cross borders. This image prompts us to consider travel’s relationship to identity. Who were the individuals packing these suitcases? What were their hopes, their fears, and their privileges as they prepared to embark on these journeys? Consider the weight of such journeys, both physically in the contents of the suitcase and emotionally in the experiences awaiting the traveler. What stories do they carry? What transformations will they undergo?