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

This is H.P. Hansen’s illustration for "The Swineherd" by H.C. Andersen, made with ink on paper. Immediately, one notices the composition, a scene divided into two distinct halves, delineated by fine lines. The left side features the princess tending to swine. The right side shows the swineherd in repose. The stark contrast in posture and activity prompts consideration of semiotic meaning: the princess, active yet demeaned; the swineherd, still but dignified. Hansen uses line to create textures and shadow, enriching the visual narrative. The seemingly simple drawing destabilizes notions of class and labor. It subtly questions the viewer's expectations of narrative, prompting a deeper reflection on social roles and the value of appearances. Note how Hansen leaves the background sparse, pushing the foreground figures into sharp relief. This compositional choice serves to question fixed social meanings. The drawing invites us not just to look, but to interpret and reinterpret.