Højtlæsning. Familiegruppe 1870s

Lorenz Frølich created this small drawing of a family reading together in Denmark in the 19th century. The image captures the intimacy of a domestic scene, a family gathering, with several generations listening attentively to a book. In 19th-century Europe, reading aloud was a common form of entertainment and education within the household. As literacy rates rose, books and periodicals became more accessible, shaping social values. Frølich, who was employed as a history painter at the Royal Porcelain Factory, creates an informal image of this domestic setting in comparison to the historical paintings he was creating. This provides a window into the cultural importance of literature and family life during this period. As art historians, we can look at sources like personal letters, diaries, and social histories, to understand how the rise of literacy and the availability of printed materials transformed family dynamics and cultural practices in 19th-century Denmark.