Regnskab 1846 1846

This is a page from Martinus Rørbye’s account book for 1846. It’s a simple item, rendered in pen and ink, but it opens a window onto the daily life of an artist in the Golden Age of Danish painting. Rørbye lived in a period of growing national consciousness in Denmark. The art world was shaped by institutions like the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and the exhibitions at Charlottenborg Palace. Artists navigated these structures, seeking patronage and recognition, while also developing their own individual styles and approaches. Rørbye’s account book offers a glimpse into the economic realities of being an artist. The careful recording of expenses and income suggests a need to manage resources effectively. What could research into tax records from the time reveal about the economic pressures on artists? How did these pressures affect their ability to create? By studying such documents, we can understand the conditions that shaped artistic production. Art history isn't just about aesthetics; it's about the social and institutional contexts that give art its meaning.