En pige trækkende en ko i et landskab med en kirke. "Lille Ada" 1842

Johan Thomas Lundbye made this pen drawing of a girl leading a cow in a landscape during the first half of the 19th century. The image is inscribed "little Ada". It evokes the Danish countryside and the daily life of its rural population. The drawing is a sketch that suggests a specific time and place, reflecting the rising interest in national identity. During the 19th century, Danish art often emphasized rural life and traditions, as a way of defining a unique cultural identity. Lundbye and other artists contributed to creating a visual language for Danish nationalism. To fully understand this work, one might look at popular literature of the time or local history archives. Understanding Danish cultural values in the 1800s and the institutions that shaped them helps us interpret its historical context.