Madonna med barn 1820 - 1857

Lorenz Frølich created this print of the Madonna and child sometime in the 19th century. It exemplifies the period’s fascination with religious subjects, viewed through a sentimental lens. In 19th century Europe, the institutions of religion and the family were seen as bulwarks against the rising tide of social change and political radicalism. The image itself draws heavily on Renaissance prototypes, from Italy. Here, though, we see how a northern European artist reinterprets these visual codes. The scene is set in a heavenly court and is populated with adoring angels. The faces are idealized, but they lack the psychological depth of the earlier examples. Frølich’s print offers a glimpse into the cultural and religious values of 19th-century Denmark. To understand it better, we might look at the period’s popular literature, religious tracts, and the writings of cultural critics. These historical resources can help us to see how the image reflects and reinforces the social norms of its time.