Store egetræer, t.v. en læsende mand. 1841

P.C. Skovgaard made this delicate pencil drawing of large oak trees with a man reading on the left in 1841. Skovgaard lived during a time of strong national romanticism in Denmark. Artists looked to the landscape to define a uniquely Danish identity, distinct from the influence of the German Confederation. The naturalism of the oak trees anchors the drawing. Meanwhile, the figure reading introduces a quieter, more personal narrative. During this period, reading became a symbol of individual reflection and enlightenment, often associated with the burgeoning middle class. The drawing is a convergence of national identity and personal identity. The trees are not just trees, but emblems of the nation. The lone reader, dwarfed by the landscape, represents the individual's place within it. The drawing then becomes a meditation on what it means to be Danish. This piece really captures the spirit of the era.