(Statens Museum for Kunst, Kopenhagen, Denmark)
A painting by the Danish artist Vilhelm Jacob Rosenstand (1838 – 1915). This historical piece shows a random scene from the Second Schleswig War (1864). During this Denmark fought against Prussia and Austria over the control of the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg (also known as the Schleswig-Holstein Question). Since 1460 Schleswig & Holstein were ruled by a common Duke, who was also the King of Denmark. The duchy of Holstein however was also a fief of the Holy Roman Empire. Schleswig and Holstein were not a part of the Danish Kingdom but were ruled through institutions separate from the rest. In 1848 a revolt broke out in Schleswig and Holstein in which the German majority pf both duchies wanted independence from Denmark and a closer association with Germany. Denmark managed to defeat the rebels and the Prussian allies. The resulting treaty (the London Protocol) declared that both duchies were to remain as independent entities. In 1863 Denmark one-sidedly declared that both duchies were now a part of the Danish kingdom, a direct violation of the London Protocol. The war lasted 8 months during which Denmark was decisively defeated. As a result of the peace settlement, Denmark lost 40% of its land area and 39% of its total population. This disastrous war is considered a national trauma for Denmark. The painting shows a unit of Danish soldiers engaged in a small skirmish with Prussian or Austrian forces. Painting from 1896.
