En landsby 1751 - 1828

"En landsby" is an etching by Johan Bülow, created sometime between 1751 and 1828, the years of his life. It depicts a humble village scene, a visual record deeply embedded in the social fabric of 18th and 19th century Denmark. During Bülow's lifetime, Denmark was undergoing significant social changes, with the rural population living under the rule of landowners. Bülow, born into the aristocracy, presents an image that romanticizes rural life. Yet this romantic vision often obscures the harsh realities of the time for the lower classes. Bülow's portrayal omits the socio-economic disparities inherent in the Danish countryside of his time. The figures walking along the path appear anonymous, their stories untold. The artwork invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between representation, social class, and individual experience. It prompts us to consider whose stories are being told, and whose are being left out. The village, rendered in delicate lines, becomes a stage upon which societal narratives are subtly enacted.