Illustration til "Den sidste Perle" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 2 1870 - 1873

This is H.P. Hansen’s illustration for Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Last Pearl in Fairy Tales and Stories,” created sometime in the 19th century. Hansen, born in 1829, lived in a Denmark undergoing significant social change, including the rise of nationalism and industrialization, which influenced the cultural landscape and artistic themes of the time. Here, Hansen depicts a grieving family at a graveside. The somber scene reflects the Victorian era’s preoccupation with mortality and mourning. We see a man and woman cloaked in sorrow, while a small child stands apart, seemingly untouched by the depth of their grief. It’s hard not to wonder what their lives are like beyond this moment. The image creates a visual dialogue about loss and innocence. Hansen’s choice to highlight the figures' emotional states invites us to reflect on how societies manage and express grief, and how these experiences are shaped by gender and age.