Udsigt over Weilsøe . - 1841

"Udsigt over Weilsøe" is a brown ink drawing by Dankvart Dreyer, an artist working in Denmark in the first half of the 19th century. Dreyer's lifetime coincided with a period of significant national and cultural self-discovery in Denmark. Dreyer, like many of his contemporaries, was deeply invested in exploring and representing the Danish landscape. This drawing, with its delicate lines and subtle shading, captures a quiet, intimate view of the lake Weilsøe. But what does it mean to claim and represent the land? The focus on the land, on Danishness, often came at the exclusion of other identities. The narrative of the nation, while unifying for some, could erase the experiences and histories of those who didn't fit the mold. Dreyer’s landscapes invite us to reflect on how we construct identity and belonging, and how these notions are intertwined with both the beauty and the erasures of history.