Hjorden. Illustration til Kaalunds "Fabler for Børn". Se kommentar fra arkkatalog. 1843

Johan Thomas Lundbye made this pen and ink drawing, "The Herd," to illustrate fables for children. Lundbye created this idyllic scene in Denmark, where his art became associated with emerging nationalism. Looking closely, the image suggests an interesting relationship between the farm animals and the landscape. Lundbye’s rendering reflects the prevailing romantic nationalism of the period. We can see a cow joyfully jumping across a meadow, while other animals graze peacefully in the distance. But it’s the Danish windmill that evokes a sense of national pride and a connection to the land. How can a simple illustration of farm animals become such a potent symbol of national identity? To fully grasp the meaning, we might delve into the historical context of 19th-century Denmark, where artists were actively engaged in shaping a sense of national identity through their work. And we can look at how institutions of art encouraged those expressions.