Appendix til Københavns Skilderi 1787

This is an etching called 'Appendix til Københavns Skilderi', made by an anonymous artist. The artwork invites us to consider the intersections of gender and class in 18th-century Copenhagen. We see a woman, possibly of the working class, sprawled on the cobblestones. Her dramatic pose contrasts sharply with the men around her, who appear preoccupied with their own affairs, lugging a chest down the street. The artist hints at a society where the hardships or misfortunes of women might be overlooked or perhaps even exploited. This etching doesn't offer a straightforward narrative, it feels like a glimpse into a complex social dynamic, rendered with a critical eye. The use of satire, common in art of this period, is likely employed here to make a statement about the prevailing social attitudes and power structures. It compels us to reflect on the experiences of those often left out of the official historical record.