Den bortjagne bjørn 1831 - 1833

Oluf Olufsen Bagge made this small drawing, "Den bortjagne bjørn," with pen and ink sometime before 1836. The stark contrast and fine detail achieved with ink on paper lend the scene a crisp, narrative quality. Bagge’s hand skillfully captures a group of bears in an animated gathering, their forms defined by delicate lines and cross-hatching. Notice the way the ink varies in thickness, creating depth and shadow, giving the bears a tangible presence on the page. The use of pen and ink, a readily available and relatively inexpensive medium, speaks to the broader accessibility of art-making during Bagge's time. This print, with its charming depiction of bears, straddles the line between fine art and illustration, hinting at a culture where art served both aesthetic and practical purposes. Considering Bagge's historical context enriches our understanding, and challenges the traditional divide between fine art and craft.