Statsskibet 1852

"Statsskibet" (The State Ship) is a satirical drawing by P.C. Skovgaard, created in 1852. The artwork depicts a small boat labeled "Denmark" with several prominent figures from Danish politics aboard. The figures appear to be struggling to keep the boat afloat, suggesting the instability of the Danish government. The image is a critical commentary on the state of Danish politics, using humor and exaggeration to expose the shortcomings of the ruling class. This pen-and-ink drawing is a powerful example of Skovgaard's satirical style, which used political cartoons to spark social and political debate.