Kööpenhaminan Ankkuripaikalta II 

Albert Edelfelt painted ‘From the Anchorage in Copenhagen II’ in 1890. The piece captures a fleeting moment of everyday life in the Danish capital. Edelfelt, a Finnish-Swedish painter, came of age during a period of intense nationalism in Finland. He navigated the social and political landscape of his time by painting scenes that were intimate and personal. Here, two sailors are depicted on deck: one leans casually against the railing, gazing out at the harbor, while the other is crouched down, perhaps scrubbing the deck. These figures embody the working class. The artist neither romanticizes nor vilifies them, but offers a glimpse into their world. Their white uniforms, though clean, hint at the labor they perform, and their postures suggest a life of physical work. Edelfelt uses realism to create a moment that feels true to life, celebrating the dignity of labor.