Vejfarende italienske landboere 1869

Wilhelm Marstrand created this delicate watercolor drawing, *Traveling Italian Farmers*, during his time in Italy. Marstrand's work gives us a glimpse into the lives of the rural population, but from the perspective of a privileged artist from Denmark. The image presents a series of vignettes, each capturing different aspects of rural life, from mothers with children to young boys energetically riding donkeys. It’s worth thinking about what Marstrand chooses to depict, and what he leaves out. What is he trying to say about Italian rural life to his Danish audience? This work invites us to reflect on the artist's role as an observer, and how his own background shapes the narrative. What stories are not being told here, and whose voices are missing from this picturesque scene? As you look at the image, consider what it means to represent the lives of others, and the responsibilities that come with that act.