Randtegning til indledningsdigtet "Vignet" 1871

F. Hendriksen made this drawing for the introductory poem "Vignet" using an unspecified medium. We see a combination of idyllic images: a swallow flying over a harp, cherubic figures, and a couple meeting by a lakeside in what appears to be the Danish countryside. Hendriksen lived through a period of immense social change. Born in the mid-19th century, he saw the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and new political movements. The elites in Denmark attempted to deal with these challenges by embracing cultural nationalism, in which artists looked to the past for themes and motifs. In this drawing, Hendriksen idealizes the pre-industrial world through his imagery, reinforcing the cultural status quo. The cherubs and the harp invoke classical myths, giving a sense of the deep roots of Danish culture. The couple by the lake, surrounded by nature, evoke an unspoiled past. These images can be further explored by looking at the wider cultural context and the history of Danish nationalism in the 19th century.