Regnskab 1846 1846

Martinus Rørbye made this account page in 1846, using ink on paper. It appears to be a personal record of expenditures, and as such, it gives us a glimpse into the material culture of the Danish Golden Age. The account book is a compelling window into the social conditions that shape artistic production. As historians, we want to know how the financial realities of the time affected the art world. The careful handwriting and detailed entries suggest a society that valued literacy and meticulous record-keeping, qualities that would have been important for artists seeking patronage. This image prompts us to consider the institutions of art in 19th-century Denmark, such as the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where Rørbye himself studied. Archival research can reveal the economic dynamics of the art market and the public role of art in shaping national identity.