Krybskytte, studie 1839 - 1917

This is a pencil drawing entitled 'Krybskytte, studie' – which translates as 'Poacher, study' – by Hans Smidth, held at the SMK in Copenhagen. Though undated, Smidth was active in a period that saw great change in the Danish countryside. With its focus on a rural hunter, this artwork can be read in the context of Denmark’s social and economic history. In the 19th century, the country transitioned from an agrarian society to a more industrialized one. As land became enclosed and hunting rights became regulated, poaching became both a social problem and a symbol of resistance for rural communities. The poacher figure embodies a challenge to the established order. To fully understand its meaning, one might explore historical records, legal archives, and literature from the period. Art history reminds us that the significance of an image is always contingent on its specific social and institutional context.