Arkitekturrids 1866

Lorenz Frølich made this architectural study using pencil on paper. In this sketch, we see Frølich's interest in the visual codes of architectural representation, and how they carry cultural and historical meanings. Made in Denmark, we might consider how this relates to the construction of national identity in the 19th century. The revival of Gothic architecture, seen here in Frølich's sketches of spires and arches, was often tied to notions of national heritage and religious revival. Classical motifs can also be discerned, such as the columns and entablatures in the bottom right. Frølich was trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, so we might consider this work in relation to academic traditions, especially within the historical context of the National Romantic style. Was Frølich self-consciously conservative or progressive in his approach to these architectural forms? Further archival research into Frølich’s influences and artistic training will allow for a more nuanced understanding of his architectural studies and how they reflect broader cultural and institutional trends.