Ekorn i Flukt 

Theodor Kittelsen created "Squirrels in Flight," or "Ekorn i Flukt" in Norwegian, as a lithograph around 1900. The image depicts three squirrels bounding through a snowy, sun-drenched landscape. Kittelsen was Norwegian, and his art reflects the cultural themes of late 19th-century Norway, a time of rising nationalism and focus on folklore. Squirrels often appear in fairy tales, and his choice of such a common animal may reflect a nationalistic desire to celebrate ordinary Norwegian life. The crisp, clear light and focus on the natural world also connect to the artistic movement of naturalism, which sought to depict life as it truly was. By studying Norwegian folklore, art criticism, and social history, we can better understand the cultural values that informed Kittelsen's art. The meaning of any artwork is always interwoven with the specific time and place in which it was made.