Fingal med den døende Agandecca 1810 - 1816

Editor: We’re looking at "Fingal med den d\u00f8ende Agandecca," made with pencil and etching by C.G. Kratzenstein Stub between 1810 and 1816. It has a preliminary, ghostly feel due to the delicate lines. What's your take on its historical significance? Curator: This drawing exemplifies the Romantic era's fascination with epic poetry, particularly James Macpherson's Ossian cycle, which profoundly influenced European artists despite later debates about its authenticity. Consider how Stub's rendering engages with notions of Scottish national identity through Fingal. Do you see that reflected here? Editor: I can see a connection with the past, certainly. I guess I am trying to figure out if it meant anything politically at that time. Curator: Absolutely. In early 19th-century Europe, the embrace of national myths, such as those presented in Ossian, frequently translated into expressions of cultural nationalism and, sometimes, subtle political resistance against the existing empires. In Denmark, at the time, national romanticism played a role in defining Danish identity vis-à-vis German cultural dominance. Seeing that, does this prompt any questions about Stub's involvement? Editor: Yes! So was Stub involved in those discussions? Curator: Exactly. Examining the patronage Stub sought or received, the exhibitions where this drawing was shown, and the critical responses it elicited, could offer insights into his and his audience’s political leanings. The faint quality of the lines almost suggest an impermanence. The heroic ideals could easily fade, don't you think? Editor: That makes a lot of sense when considering the political mood. I’ve certainly learned a new way to read a "historical" image! Curator: Precisely, art often serves as a silent, but powerful, voice in cultural dialogues.