Lille dreng ridende på en hest 1845

Johan Thomas Lundbye made this drawing titled 'Little boy riding a horse' using graphite on paper. Lundbye lived during a period of significant social change in Denmark with growing nationalism and evolving class structures. This drawing can be seen in the context of the romantic era's fascination with childhood innocence and the idealization of rural life. We see here the image of a young boy, confidently seated on a horse, perhaps mirroring the era's inclination to portray children as symbols of purity. Yet there is a certain seriousness in his gaze. The intersection of class is subtly present, the act of riding, was often associated with privilege. The inclusion of detailed tack and saddlebags suggests a level of care and attention to detail. The artist's decision to capture this particular moment invites us to contemplate the complex interplay between childhood, social status, and national identity in 19th-century Denmark.