Illustration til "Ib og lille Christine" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 2 1870 - 1873

This is H.P. Hansen’s illustration to Hans Christian Andersen’s tale "Ib and Little Christine" rendered in ink, sometime in the mid-19th century. Andersen’s fairy tales were not just entertainment, they were social commentary. The story of Ib and Christine, who grow up in love but are ultimately divided by social class, reflects Denmark's rigid social structures at the time. Hansen’s illustration subtly reinforces this. The children are placed in a natural setting, yet their clothing and postures hint at their distinct social positions. Ib, actively engaged in play, contrasts with Christine, who is passively holding a doll, foreshadowing their diverging paths. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where Hansen trained, emphasized narrative painting and moralizing themes. Artists of the time used these visual narratives to both reflect and subtly critique the social norms. To fully appreciate this illustration, one might delve into Danish social history, exploring the dynamics of class and childhood in the 19th century. The story isn't just about children; it's a mirror reflecting the society that shapes them.