Nordlyset, natten fra den 16. til den 17. september 1838, set fra Hellebæks kyst 1839

F.M.E. Fabritius de Tengnagel made this oil painting, Nordlyset, in 1838, capturing the aurora borealis from the coast of Hellebæk, Denmark. The sublime, a popular aesthetic of the time, is certainly at play here: the vastness of the sky dwarfs the human figures on the shore, creating a sense of awe and perhaps even fear. Yet, the choice to depict the aurora borealis is far from random. In the context of 19th-century Denmark, still recovering from the Napoleonic Wars and grappling with its national identity, the painting takes on a deeper meaning. The ethereal lights could be interpreted as a symbol of hope and renewal, a visual metaphor for the nation's aspirations. To truly understand this work, we might delve into the scientific understanding of the aurora at the time, or examine Danish Romantic poetry and the period's obsession with nature. By considering the painting's historical, cultural, and intellectual context, we can gain a richer understanding of its meaning and significance.