Beyond the Light: Identity and Place in Nineteenth-Century Danish Art

This publication explores nineteenth-century Danish artists' national pride during a time of turmoil, featuring 90 drawings, paintings, and oil sketches by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, Christen Købke, Constantin Hansen, Martinus Rørbye, Johan Thomas Lundbye, Vilhelm Hammershøi, and others. Five thematic essays by leading scholars explore the role of the sea, portraiture, nostalgia, the Danish landscape, and European influences on Danish art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Though often referred to as the Danish Golden Age, the 19th century in Denmark was a time of immense turmoil and change. From the devastating siege of Copenhagen and the collapse of Denmark's monarchy to the rising tide of nationalism that eventually engulfed all of Europe, the nation experienced a series of seismic events that shaped its history.

This publication seeks to place artists at the forefront of Denmark's dramatic cultural, political, and philosophical transformation during this tumultuous period. By bringing together a collection of 90 drawings, paintings, and oil sketches by renowned Danish artists such as Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, Christen Købke, Constantin Hansen, Martinus Rørbye, Johan Thomas Lundbye, Vilhelm Hammershøi, and others, the book offers a unique insight into the artistic expressions of the time.

In addition to the visual artwork, the book also includes five thematic essays by leading scholars from Denmark and the United States. These essays explore various aspects of Danish art and culture, including the artists' portrayal of national pride, the evolving role of the sea as a marker of Danish identity, the changing nature of portraiture, nostalgia for the Danish landscape and folk traditions, and the influence of European travels on Danish artists.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will host the exhibition of this publication from January 26 to April 16, 2023, followed by a showing at The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles from May 23 to August 20, 2023. This comprehensive exhibition will provide a deeper understanding of the 19th century in Denmark and the role that artists played in shaping its cultural and philosophical landscape.

Weight: 1290g
Dimension: 263 x 238 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781588397331