"Collegium politicum" (Den politiske kandestøber) 1845 - 1850

Wilhelm Marstrand's "Collegium politicum" (Den politiske kandestøber) from 1845-1850 depicts a lively scene inside a Danish tavern. The artwork, housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, captures the social and political discussions taking place among the patrons, emphasizing the importance of public discourse in 19th-century Danish society. Marstrand's use of quick, expressive strokes in watercolor creates a dynamic composition, highlighting the energy and passion of the conversation. The intimate scale of the artwork, measuring 165 mm x 218 mm, invites the viewer to closely examine the individual characters and their interactions.