Hjorten; Hundehvalpen 1845

This print, "The Deer; The Puppy," was made by Adolph Kittendorff in Denmark, though we're unsure exactly when. The image seems to draw upon a tradition of animal allegories, popular in the 19th century as a means of social commentary. On the left, a deer bounds across a field, perhaps symbolizing freedom or untamed nature. To the right, a puppy approaches a dog in a kennel, possibly representing domesticity or the social hierarchy. Denmark at this time was undergoing significant social and economic change. The rise of the bourgeoisie and the growth of cities created new social tensions and new ideas about national identity. It’s likely this print reflects these tensions, setting nature against culture, or freedom against constraint. By studying the artist’s other works, and the broader visual culture of the time, we can better understand the public role of art and the politics of imagery that defined 19th-century Denmark.