Illustration til "Fra et Vindue i Vartou" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 2 1870 - 1873

This illustration for Hans Christian Andersen’s “Fairy Tales and Stories” was made by H.P. Hansen using wood engraving, a process that was popular during the 19th century for mass-producing images. Consider how the quality of the material influences its appearance, the density of the wood allowed for fine lines and intricate details, crucial for capturing the nuances of the scene: a woman tending to a plant by the window. Wood engraving, unlike traditional engraving on metal, uses the end grain of the wood, enabling the artist to carve in multiple directions. Hansen's expertise in this technique, honed through skilled traditions of printmaking, allowed for efficient reproduction in books and periodicals. The image reflects the social context of its time, when printed illustrations played a vital role in disseminating stories and information to a wide audience. The amount of labor involved in producing such detailed work underscores the importance of craft within industrial capitalism.