Smørbokk 

This is Theodor Severin Kittelsen's painting called "Smørbokk." Kittelsen was a Norwegian artist who lived in a time of burgeoning nationalism and a renewed interest in folklore. This painting gives us a glimpse into the world of Norwegian folktales. It illustrates a story where an old woman, possibly a mythical being, takes butter as payment from a young boy. The scene is set against the backdrop of rural Norway, where tales of mythical beings and the natural world were deeply intertwined. Kittelsen's work often explores the darker aspects of these tales, reflecting a sense of unease. Are we witnessing an innocent exchange, or a deal with supernatural consequences? The artist plays with the idea of the unknown, reminding us of the emotional power that stories hold in shaping our understanding of the world.