Illustration til Grundtvig: "Den signede dag" 1887 - 1891

This illustration accompanies N.F.S. Grundtvig’s hymn, "Den signede dag," and features cherubic figures around a table in the clouds. The scene bathes in the light of the rising sun. These cherubs, or putti, are descendants of ancient Cupid figures, symbols of love and desire, who reappeared during the Renaissance as representations of divine love and innocence, often populating religious scenes. Here, they signify spiritual purity and joy, fitting for a hymn about a blessed day and homeland. The table around which they gather, crowned by a single candle, evokes ideas of fellowship and enlightenment, reminiscent of the Last Supper imagery, underscoring themes of communion and spiritual nourishment. Observe how this symbolic language taps into our collective memory, stirring a sense of nostalgia and longing for a sacred, prelapsarian time. This visual vocabulary evolved from pagan antiquity to Christian symbolism, a powerful current engaging our subconscious with a message of hope and spiritual awakening.