Erasmus Montanus disputerer med Per Degn 1867 - 1869

Wilhelm Marstrand made this pen and brown ink drawing, Erasmus Montanus disputing with Per Degn, with no date given. Marstrand was a key figure in the Danish Golden Age, when artists were grappling with questions of national identity and cultural values. This drawing appears to comment on this debate through its illustration of a play from 1747. The drawing depicts a scene from Ludvig Holberg's play "Erasmus Montanus," where a scholar, Erasmus Montanus, returns to his rural village after studying in Copenhagen and attempts to impress the locals with his learning. The scene shows Erasmus in a heated argument with the local deacon, Per Degn, showcasing a clash between intellectual arrogance and grounded common sense. The work critiques the elitism of academic circles and affirms the value of traditional folk wisdom. Art historians consult literary sources and theatre history to understand the relationship between Danish art, literature, and national identity during this period.