Fra Hammershus 1878

Louise Ravn-Hansen made this print, "Fra Hammershus", with etching, a process involving acid to cut into a metal surface, sometime in the late 19th century. As a female artist during this period, Ravn-Hansen occupied a unique position in a patriarchal society. Her choice of landscape, depicting Hammershus—a historical site in Denmark—connects her to the cultural nationalism prevalent at the time. But, she presents a gentler view of the natural world in comparison to the heroic landscapes often produced by her male contemporaries. Note the intricate detail and precision in her technique. These render a romantic and intimate vision. Her identity as a woman, coupled with the subject matter and the delicacy of execution, invites a dialogue about gender, representation, and cultural identity. What feelings does this scene evoke in you? Perhaps the quiet strength of an artist who found her voice in a landscape so intertwined with national identity.