"Erik Glippings drab i Finnerup lade" 1843

Johan Aagaard made this print of "Erik Glippings drab i Finnerup lade" sometime in the mid-19th century. It depicts a scene of violence, possibly referencing historical or mythological events, and provides insight into the visual culture of 19th-century Denmark. This image invites us to consider the role of art in constructing national identity and historical narratives. The scene is full of visual codes, such as the burning building, and men in medieval garb that create meaning through cultural and historical associations. The fact that it was printed in the printing house of Nissensko suggests that it was part of a wider network of cultural production. The question remains, however: what did this image mean to its contemporary audience? Art historians would look to period sources – newspapers, pamphlets, political tracts – to better understand its reception and to determine whether it was a progressive or conservative statement in its time. By situating art within its social and institutional context, we can gain insight into its historical significance.