Osteriscene 1810 - 1873

Wilhelm Marstrand made this pen and brown ink drawing called "Osteriscene," the location it depicts is in Rome. Marstrand was part of the Danish Golden Age, a period marked by a surge of national romanticism. Many Danish artists traveled to Italy, drawn to its classical heritage. The image creates meaning through its depiction of everyday life. We can almost hear the loud conviviality from the standing man in the tavern, but we can also notice the quiet despondency of the woman at the table near the left, her child sitting beside her. Marstrand likely encountered many scenes like this during his travels. Art historians can consult travel journals, letters, and social histories to understand the cultural context of such works. By researching the social conditions that shape artistic production we can better understand the role of the artist and the public role of art in 19th-century Europe.