God mad 1861

Lorenz Frølich made this pencil drawing, titled "God mad," which translates to "Good Food", at an unknown date. The drawing, now at the SMK in Denmark, depicts a child enjoying a meal. The image offers a glimpse into 19th-century Danish culture, particularly the emphasis on domesticity and childhood. Frølich's choice of subject matter reflects a broader European interest in scenes of everyday life, especially those involving children, which became popular with the rise of Realism. The inscription at the bottom of the page, "La bonne soupe" indicates that the child is eating soup. In this context, the image is a testament to the rising bourgeoisie and their lifestyle. To fully understand Frølich's work, one might research the visual culture of 19th-century Denmark, looking at popular imagery, children’s books, and domestic scenes in painting and illustration. Such research helps us see how artists like Frølich contributed to the construction of social values and norms through their art.