Mandolinspillersken 1911

Peter Ilsted created this etching titled ‘Mandolinspillersken’ in Denmark at the turn of the 20th century. It depicts a woman in a domestic setting, playing a mandolin. The scene is intimate, focusing on the quiet, personal moment of musical expression. Ilsted, along with other artists of the time, often portrayed women in domestic roles. These depictions reflected the social norms of the era, where women’s lives were largely centered around the home. The choice of a mandolin, not a traditional instrument, could suggest the emerging cultural interests of the middle class. Understanding this work involves looking at the history of Danish art institutions, the roles they played in shaping artistic themes, and the socio-economic context of the time. Research into exhibition records, artists' letters, and cultural commentaries from the period can provide deeper insights into the artwork’s meaning and its place in history.