"Den Lykkelige" 1787

This etching, "Den Lykkelige", was anonymously made in Denmark, sometime around 1785. It depicts two young men in a rural setting, one carrying a heavy load on his shoulders, the other seemingly cheering him on. The image speaks to the social conditions of the time. With its emphasis on labor, and the potential ‘happiness’ found within it, it comments on the social structures of 18th-century Denmark, where agricultural work was a mainstay of life for many. Note how the figures are rendered with a certain simplicity, perhaps reflecting a romanticized view of rural existence that was gaining traction amongst the urban elite. The anonymity of the artist is interesting in itself. It invites us to consider the institutions of art at the time, who was making art, for whom, and what messages were they conveying? To better understand this work, research into the agricultural practices, social hierarchies, and artistic trends of 18th-century Denmark would be invaluable.