Illustration til O. Specter, "Fabler for Børn" 1838

This is Vilhelm Kyhn's illustration for O. Specter's "Fabler for Børn." Though undated, it was likely made in mid-19th century Denmark using etching. Kyhn, a landscape painter, was deeply invested in creating a uniquely Danish visual culture. He championed art that reflected the nation's spirit and identity, often using his work to promote conservative cultural values. This seemingly simple illustration for children reveals a lot about the social values he would have liked to pass on. The image depicts a young boy with a donkey and cart, perhaps intended to teach children about the value of hard work and the importance of kindness towards animals. The fable's original text might give us more clues about this artwork's meaning. By studying the fables, alongside Kyhn's broader artistic output and the cultural debates of his time, we can better understand the social and institutional forces that shaped his art.