Hero ventende Leander 1826

Edvard Sonne created this drawing of Hero Waiting for Leander in 1826 using pen and India ink. It illustrates the Greek myth of Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite, awaiting her lover Leander, who would swim across the Hellespont strait each night to be with her. In 19th-century Denmark, classical themes held a prominent position in the arts, reflecting the era's fascination with the ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. Sonne's choice to depict this narrative aligns with the period's broader interest in exploring themes of love, devotion, and tragedy through the lens of classical mythology. The cultural associations of virtue and romance are heightened by Sonne's graphic style, reminiscent of a classical frieze, a popular reference in Danish art at the time. Sonne leaves us to contemplate the significance of this story by emphasizing the clarity of line in an otherwise unfinished composition. By exploring archives, letters, and publications from 19th-century Denmark, we are better able to interpret the cultural and institutional context surrounding Sonne's drawing.