Regnskab 1846 1846

This is a page from Martinus Rørbye’s account book from 1846, held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. This isn’t a conventional artwork, but it gives insight into the social and economic context of art production. Rørbye was a Danish Golden Age painter. His account book allows us to look at the economics of being an artist in 19th-century Denmark. We can see the costs of materials, studio space, and models. What did things cost then, compared to now? What was Rørbye's income? Who were his patrons? These details help us understand Rørbye's place in Danish society. By studying such documents, we can go beyond simply looking at the aesthetic qualities of an artwork, and understand the broader social conditions that enabled its creation.