Udsigt over skærgården ved Elleholm i Blekinge 1854

Godtfred Rump painted this view of the archipelago at Elleholm in Blekinge in the mid-19th century. During this period, landscape painting served as a powerful tool for shaping national identity and cultural pride. Rump's scene captures an idyllic view with grazing sheep, embodying romantic nationalism, which idealized rural life and the natural landscape as essential to the nation's character. The work subtly communicates the values and aspirations of the rising middle class, who saw themselves reflected in the calm and prosperity of such scenes. However, it's important to remember that these idealized landscapes often mask the social inequalities and labor realities of the time. While Rump’s painting invites us to appreciate the beauty of the Scandinavian landscape, it also prompts us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose are left out in the construction of national narratives.