"Vi er svin, fallit! oh oh oh" 1834 - 1866

This hand-colored engraving, "Vi er svin, fallit! oh oh oh," meaning "We are pigs, bankrupt!" presents a satirical commentary of the late 18th or early 19th century Denmark. Its creator, who remains anonymous, uses the imagery of pigs to convey a message about societal decay. We can imagine the pigs in the image as symbols for the Danish people during a time when the state went bankrupt in 1813. The title suggests a lament about the state of the country, perhaps criticizing extravagance or mismanagement. The scene, with its combination of debauchery and economic ruin, speaks to a specific moment in Danish history, one of economic hardship and perhaps moral decline. The print probably circulated through informal networks, maybe even sold on the street, beyond established venues like the Royal Academy. To fully understand this artwork, one might consult historical archives, political pamphlets, or economic reports from the period to understand the social conditions that led to its creation. Such research reveals how art serves as a mirror, reflecting and commenting on the realities of its time.