Prøvetryk til Chr. Winthers A.B.C. 1863

This is a proof print by H.P. Hansen for Christian Winther’s A.B.C. Made in Denmark in the 19th century, it shows a man who has been thrown from his horse. The image would have been part of an alphabet book for children, and the humor suggests an appeal to adults as well. We might think about who would have been able to afford such a book at this time. The fallen man is wearing a suit, and his hat has fallen off next to him, denoting him as middle class. The book would likely have been used to teach children from affluent families how to read. The setting appears to be the Danish countryside, and it's important to remember that Denmark was largely an agricultural society at this time. How might this image have resonated with people who lived very different lives from the fallen rider? These are the kinds of questions a social historian might ask. We can consult census records, economic data, and other visual sources to understand the nuances of the artwork.