Illustration til "Snedronningen" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 1 1870 - 1873

This illustration for Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" was made by H.P. Hansen using a technique called engraving. Engraving involves meticulously carving lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed, creating the image. Look closely, and you'll see the network of fine lines that give this image its texture and form. The process demands high skill and patience. Engraving was a key method for mass-producing images at the time, and the resulting prints were relatively affordable. Consider the amount of labor involved in creating just one of these illustrations, multiplied by the number of prints made for the book. The image here is intimately tied to the social and economic contexts of its time, reflecting both artistic skill and the rise of mass production. By understanding the materials, techniques, and context surrounding this illustration, we can appreciate the layers of meaning embedded within this artwork.