Kvæg på marken 1876

Carl Frederik Bartsch created this print called "Cattle in the Field," using etching, sometime in the 19th century. This pastoral scene is seemingly simple, yet it is a potent reminder of Denmark's agricultural roots and the romantic nationalism that swept through Europe during Bartsch’s lifetime. The image depicts grazing animals in a serene landscape, evoking a sense of harmony and national pride closely tied to the land. Historically, such images served to idealize rural life, often obscuring the harsh realities faced by farmers and laborers. One wonders how race and class dynamics play out in the background of these idyllic settings. Here, Bartsch invites us to consider the complex relationship between national identity, land, and the often-unseen labor that sustains it, prompting reflection on the stories we choose to tell about ourselves and our history.