Illustrationsudkast til H.C. Andersen, "Dynd-Kongens Datter" 1869

This is Lorenz Frølich’s sketch illustrating Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, "The Marsh King's Daughter." Frølich, living in a time of burgeoning nationalism, drew heavily from Norse mythology and folklore in his art, reflecting a broader cultural interest in exploring national identity through such narratives. Here, we see a scene where the knight encounters the swamp-born Helga. Note how Frølich portrays Helga: kneeling, almost pleading, with a stark contrast to the upright, commanding figure of the knight. Consider how this visual language reinforces existing power dynamics, with Helga, marked by her origins, positioned as subordinate. This sketch encapsulates the 19th-century negotiation between folklore and societal norms, subtly reinforcing ideas about class and gender. What we’re left with is not just an illustration, but a tableau of societal expectations, drawn in delicate lines, revealing the quiet assumptions embedded within the stories we tell.