Illustration til "Hvorledes Dagen gaaer for Lille Lise" 1863

Lorenz Frølich created this illustration for “Hvorledes Dagen gaaer for Lille Lise.” Frølich was a Danish artist who lived through a period of intense social change and nationalism. Denmark lost territory to Germany and was redefined as a nation-state. Frølich found inspiration in Norse mythology and folk tales. His illustrations reflect a desire to define a distinctively Danish cultural identity in the face of German expansionism. The illustration is also subtly political, and you will note a desire to define the roles of citizens within this newly defined nation. To understand Frølich’s art, one can research the visual culture of 19th-century Denmark, including popular illustrations, academic painting, and the rise of national museums. These resources help us understand art's role in shaping national identity and social norms during periods of political change.