Illustration til "Askeladden som fik prinsessen til at løgste sig" 1870 - 1878

This illustration to "Askeladden som fik prinsessen til at løgste sig" was made by an anonymous artist. The image depicts a folk tale and its themes of social mobility would have resonated strongly in the late nineteenth century. Consider the way the artist uses the conventions of caricature. The princess is depicted as haughty and humorless, whereas the hero Askeladden is relaxed and confident, a sure sign that he will triumph. The image is a study in social class, but it may also reflect the changing social structures of late nineteenth century Denmark. If we wish to know more about the context in which it was made, we might research the history of Danish illustration, the publishing industry, or the fairy tales of Asbjørnsen and Moe. The meaning of this artwork is historically contingent and as art historians, we can trace its multiple meanings across time.