Ornamentale studier 1885 - 1886

L.A. Ring made this pencil drawing, called Ornamentale Studier, at an unknown date. The image gives insight into the social and cultural context of late 19th and early 20th century Danish art. Ring, known for his Realist and Symbolist paintings, also engaged with ornamental design, reflecting the period's interest in craftsmanship and decorative arts. The drawing’s rough sketches suggest Ring was exploring motifs that blended nature and traditional design. This was a time when artists sought to create a distinctly Danish visual language, in response to growing industrialization. Artists began to move away from academic styles and looked to folk art and national romanticism to create their own artistic identities. To fully understand this work, we need to consider the history of Danish design, the Arts and Crafts movement, and Ring's own artistic development, drawing on archives, design history, and biographical research. In doing so, we can better understand the visual and social worlds of Ring and his contemporaries.