Blad til "Dagens flue" 1944

Editor: This is Robert Storm Petersen's 1944 pen and ink drawing, titled "Page for 'The Fly of the Day.'" It definitely strikes me as humorous, almost a caricature. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, considering it was created during World War II, its humor takes on a darker significance. Storm Petersen, often just called Storm P., was immensely popular, known for his wit and social commentary. The "Fly of the Day" suggests a daily dose of observation, even satire. Editor: So the fly is a daily news sort of thing? How would the public have read that? Curator: Exactly. And note the figure himself: overdressed, almost comically bourgeois, walking in what appears to be a bleak, almost barren landscape. Think about the context of occupied Denmark; the restrictions, the anxieties. Do you think that figure’s attire seems to fit the mood? Editor: No, not at all! It almost seems like he's trying too hard. Is this a comment on collaboration or denial of reality? Curator: Possibly. It could be interpreted as commentary on those who were perhaps profiting or pretending normalcy amidst hardship. Storm P. was careful but often critical. This could be subtle resistance, using humor as a veil. Editor: It’s amazing how much a simple ink drawing can convey about such a complex period. I see so much more in it now! Curator: Precisely! The socio-political context is key. Art often speaks loudest when direct speech is silenced. We gain a nuanced understanding of public sentiment in that specific time by seeing the image as historical artifact.