Køer på fælleden, i baggrunden Tagens Mølle 1857

P.C. Skovgaard made this pencil drawing, "Cows in the Field, with Tagens Mill in the Background," in 1857. It shows a pastoral scene, but it also hints at the social and economic changes happening in Denmark at the time. The image presents a romantic view of rural life, but the presence of Tagens Mill suggests the growth of industry and urbanization. This was a period when Denmark was transitioning from an agricultural society to a more industrialized one, and these kinds of mills were essential to that process. Skovgaard was part of the Danish Golden Age of painting, a time when artists were trying to create a distinct national identity. So the scenes of rural life can be seen to represent a traditional way of life. To fully understand Skovgaard’s work, we can look at the history of Danish agriculture and industry, and how they were changing in the mid-19th century. By researching these contexts, we can better understand the role art plays in reflecting and shaping society.