The Land of Enchantment 

Scott Gustafson’s “The Land of Enchantment” is an undated painting that gathers a range of well-known characters, primarily of European origin. Here, various elements like the jester's attire and castle architecture evoke a medieval or early Renaissance setting, reflecting the artist's interest in pre-modern tales. The painting's fantasy theme invites us to consider its place in popular culture. What social function do these stories perform? How are certain traditional narratives given new life? Do they reinforce conservative values or invite a new progressive reading? Such questions require us to consider the institutional history of fairy tales and folklore. We might look at the history of the book industry or the visual culture of animated films. As art historians, we recognize that the meaning of art is not fixed but is contingent on changing cultural values and the institutional structures that frame it.