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

H.P. Hansen made this illustration for Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale “The Snow Queen” using engraving, a printmaking technique, sometime in the 1800s. Engravings like this one often accompanied published texts and were important tools in circulating stories among a wide audience. This image shows two children reaching towards each other, perhaps a moment of connection before the fairytale’s trials begin. In 19th century Denmark, storytelling was very popular and it played an important role in the development of a shared cultural identity. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, founded in the 1700s, was instrumental in shaping artistic styles and standards. Artists like Hansen, who often illustrated literary works, helped to disseminate cultural values and moral lessons. By examining the visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations within such illustrations, we can better understand the social fabric of 19th-century Danish society. Historians might consult archives, literary texts, and period publications to shed light on the image’s full meaning.