Klippekyst på Bornholm 1843

Vilhelm Kyhn created this black and white drawing, "Klippekyst på Bornholm," capturing the rugged coastline of Bornholm. Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, possessed a unique identity, separate from mainland Denmark, and Kyhn’s work reflects a broader 19th-century artistic interest in regional identity. Kyhn sought to define a Danish national character through landscape painting. He explored the common person’s connection to the land, often depicting scenes of everyday life in harmony with nature. The print evokes a sense of quiet awe, presenting nature as both powerful and serene. Bornholm’s rocky coasts and unique light offered Kyhn a way to visually articulate a sense of Danish identity rooted in its geography. While romanticizing the landscape, Kyhn invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with the environment. In his art, Kyhn encourages a deeper appreciation for the natural world.