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Bønder i Hovedstaden (Farmers in the Capital)
 

Bønder i Hovedstaden (Farmers in the Capital) is a painting by Erik Henningsen 1887.  The painting shows a farmer's family with all their belongings in front of Copenhagen Central Station, just arrived by train. The arriving peasant family's clothing is completely different from the city people. The city people wear shoes and boots. The peasant family wears wooden shoes. Coming from the countryside and moving to the capital in the 19th century was a major challenge for the weakest in society. In 1834, there were about 100,000 people living in Copenhagen, barely 10% of the population – three generations later in 1901, the population had quadrupled to just over 450,000 – now almost 20% of the population. In other words, urbanization was a steadily advancing process throughout the 19th century, with new residents arriving daily in the capital’s throngs to seek their fortune. The railways made it easier to travel from the village to the big city. The way out of poverty in the big cities was a big challenge and nearly impossible, but even for the poor from the countryside, life in the city was often better than in the countryside. In the painting, there is no one waiting at the station to welcome the newcomers, they are heading out in the city to the unknown. It is open to interpretation what future awaits the family from the countryside.

January 11th 2025

 

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