En høne på en kurv 1845

Johan Thomas Lundbye made this drawing, "A Hen on a Basket," in 1845. It offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of 19th-century Denmark. Lundbye, deeply rooted in the Danish Golden Age, often depicted rural scenes. This seemingly simple drawing is a departure from grand landscapes. But it is a potent symbol of domesticity and the rural economy. The hen, perched confidently in the basket, embodies self-sufficiency, central to the Danish national identity of that time. Consider the institutional context: the art world, dominated by the Academy, favored monumental history painting. Lundbye, while trained within this system, chose to focus on everyday life, challenging the hierarchy of genres. To fully appreciate Lundbye's "Hen," we need to examine agricultural practices, economic policies, and nationalist movements of 19th-century Denmark. These inquiries will help us understand how art engages with and shapes societal values.