Lili læser 1861

Lorenz Frølich created this drawing of a child reading using pen and ink. Frølich used the qualities of ink to delineate the texture of domestic objects surrounding the child, conjuring the plushness of piled-up cushions and the solidity of stacked books. The fineness of the lines emphasizes the precision and control required of the artist. It's worth noting that the quill pen itself - likely crafted from a bird's feather, carefully cured and cut - was an instrument demanding considerable skill and refinement to master. The emphasis on literacy and learning speaks to the rising value placed on education in the 19th century, a time of increased social mobility. The humble materials and intimate scale of the work invite us to consider the labor involved in both its creation and the broader cultural context it reflects, reminding us that even seemingly simple images carry layers of meaning related to craft, skill, and social values.