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

This is H.P. Hansen's illustration for Hans Christian Andersen's "Ole Lukøie," made with engraving. Notice the use of hatching and cross-hatching to define the forms of the various birds. The artist employs a somewhat unusual composition with the birds grouped tightly. It is almost claustrophobic. There is a tension here between the detailed rendering of the individual birds and their confinement within the frame. This tension creates a dynamic visual field that challenges our reading. Hansen's illustration, through its formal choices, prompts us to consider the relationship between freedom and constraint. How do these structural elements contribute to the narrative and our understanding of Andersen's tale? The meaning of this illustration can be understood as an open-ended interplay between form and interpretation.