Illustration til "Paa den yderste Dag" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 2 1870 - 1873

H.P. Hansen created this illustration for Hans Christian Andersen's tale "On the Outermost Day" using engraving, a popular method for book illustration in 19th-century Europe. The image presents a dying man in bed, visited by an angel holding an hourglass. In its time, this would have been understood as a commentary on the themes of morality and mortality, reflecting the religious and social values prevalent in Denmark. The tale itself, and thus this illustration, emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, a concept deeply embedded in the cultural and social fabric of the period. Engravings like this democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond the traditional elite. By studying such works, alongside literary texts and social histories, we can gain insights into the moral, spiritual, and social anxieties of 19th-century Danish society. The illustration therefore serves as a window into the past, reflecting the complex interplay between art, literature, and society.