En uniformeret fængselsbetjent og to studier af en fange fra Forbedringshuset 1833

This pencil drawing by Danish artist Martinus Rørbye from 1833 depicts a uniformed prison guard and two studies of a prisoner. The work is part of Rørbye’s sketchbooks which provide valuable insight into the artist’s practice and his interest in societal observation. The artist’s attention to detail in capturing the figures’ attire and expressions, along with the inscription "Malt i Magensens Fængsel N°. 2," highlight his fascination with the realities of prison life in 19th-century Denmark. The sketches are a testament to Rørbye’s keen eye for capturing the human condition in a range of social contexts.