Prøvetryk til illustration til P. M. Møller: "En dansk students eventyr" 1884 - 1897

Henrik Arnold Hamilkar Sørensen created this illustration for P.M. Møller's "En dansk students eventyr," using an unspecified medium, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. This piece offers a glimpse into the cultural values of Denmark during that period, particularly concerning education and leisure. The image presents a student, identifiable by his attire, reclining in a pastoral setting, deeply absorbed in reading. This idyllic scene reflects the romanticized view of intellectual pursuits popular at the time, contrasting the life of the mind with the beauty of nature. The setting, with its manicured lawn and distant fence, suggests a cultivated landscape, indicative of the bourgeoisie's relationship to the natural world. To fully appreciate this work, consider the socio-economic context of the Danish student. The availability of education, the role of literature, and the portrayal of leisure all speak to the values and aspirations of a society undergoing modernization. Studying such illustrations alongside literary texts and social histories can reveal much about the cultural landscape of the time.