Svensk pige med et barn på ryggen 1851

Wilhelm Marstrand created this drawing of a Swedish girl with a child on her back. The image gives us a glimpse into the daily lives of women in 19th-century Scandinavia. Marstrand, who came from a relatively privileged background, traveled extensively throughout Europe. The bare feet of the Swedish girl suggest her lower social class and her close relationship with the land. While Marstrand was celebrated for his genre paintings and historical scenes, it’s important to consider how his identity as a middle-class male artist influenced his depiction of women and marginalized communities. What do you see in the face of the Swedish girl? Is it resilience, weariness, or something else? Consider how the weight she carries, both literally and figuratively, shapes her identity and experiences.