Rysensteens badeanstalt med udsigt over Langebro og Holmen 1803 - 1861

H.G.F. Holm made this watercolor of Rysensteen's bathhouse with a view over Langebro and Holmen, though it is not known exactly when. Bathhouses emerged as new social spaces in the 19th century, reflecting changing attitudes toward hygiene and leisure. The image offers insights into Copenhagen's urban development and social life. We see the bathhouse itself, along with the Langebro bridge and Holmen, an important naval base. The figures engaged in swimming and boating suggest a growing middle class with the time and resources for recreation. It also reveals a segregated society. Bathing was not a universal experience, but was regulated along class and gender lines. The cultural and institutional history of Copenhagen shaped who had access to these spaces and how they were used. To understand this artwork better, historians could consult city archives, period newspapers, and social surveys. These resources can help us reconstruct the world in which it was made and understand its role in shaping social norms.