Illustration til Svend Grundtvig, "Marsk Stig: Dansk Folkevise Fra 13de Aarhundrede", 1861 1861

Constantin Hansen made this illustration for Svend Grundtvig's "Marsk Stig: Dansk Folkevise Fra 13de Aarhundrede" in 1861. It depicts a scene from a 13th-century Danish folk song. The image is full of visual codes and cultural references. Hansen uses the setting – a medieval interior with patterned walls, tiled floors, and period furniture – to evoke a sense of historical authenticity. The dress of the figures, with the king's crown and Marsk Stig's wife's modest attire, reinforces this medieval setting. This was a period of growing nationalism in Denmark, and Hansen's illustration taps into a renewed interest in the nation's history and folklore. The image can be interpreted as a commentary on social structures of the time. Marsk Stig, a nobleman, is portrayed confronting the king, suggesting tensions between the aristocracy and the monarchy. To understand this work fully, we can turn to historical and literary research, examining the folk song it illustrates, as well as the social and political context of 19th-century Denmark. This reveals the important role of art in reflecting and shaping national identity.