Dragon 

Curator: So, let's talk about this ink drawing simply titled "Dragon" by Theodor Severin Kittelsen. The artist's known for diving deep into Norwegian folklore, especially its darker corners, through both his writing and illustrative art. Editor: Well, first blush, it looks less like a fire-breathing dragon and more like… a very opinionated gecko. Kind of grumpy-cute, really. Its minimalist rendering definitely gives it a heraldic feel, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. Kittelsen pulls from the well of medieval bestiaries and Viking art, simplifying forms into powerful symbols. This piece likely served as a design element—perhaps for a book illustration, given its crisp linework. There’s an echo here of the dragons carved onto the prows of Viking longships, meant to ward off evil spirits while asserting power. Editor: I see that – that makes sense. The sort of symmetrical tail curl reinforces this heraldic mood, contrasting with the creature's seemingly conversational profile. There’s a tension between the ornamental and the organic. I love how its ‘mane’ is also rendered like another, smaller ornamental curl. Very playful. Curator: He captures a really fascinating duality in that contrast, doesn't he? It shows Kittelsen’s interest in personifying these creatures; they're not just decorative, but they seem to have a personality and even tell a story, even without a backdrop. How these dragons became such prominent features in nationalistic rhetoric around Norwegian cultural identity is equally fascinating. Editor: Which comes through despite it's whimsical tone and limited tonal range with it being, basically, an outline. Looking at the piece, I'm left wondering what exactly it is defending – it looks more likely to deliver a witty aside rather than a deathly breath! Curator: Right? You expect this dragon to offer up a sarcastic remark rather than guard a hoard of gold! I appreciate your modern take – something so steeped in nationalism and deep dark history, but that’s now an image you might find on a tote bag in a hip part of Oslo! Editor: It just goes to show how art evolves beyond its original intentions, right? Even monsters get reinterpreted as adorable.