Illustration til "Halvhundrede Fabler for Børn" af Hey 1834

This is an illustration made by Martinus Rørbye for "Halvhundrede Fabler for Børn," though the exact date remains unknown. The medium here is printmaking, specifically etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate, inked, and then pressed onto paper. Look closely at the variations in the lines used to create shading and texture. This was a key method of illustration in the early 19th century, enabling the wide distribution of images along with printed text. The marks have a directness, and the artist has used the linear quality of the technique to depict a down-to-earth scene with a sow and piglets in front of a simple farm structure. You can see how the etched lines define the bulky form of the sow, the rough texture of the ground, and the rustic setting. The labor involved in creating this print – the drawing, etching, and printing – speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship in disseminating stories to a broader audience. Understanding the process gives us insight into the image’s original purpose, highlighting how art, craft, and industry intersected in the service of storytelling and education.