Illustration til "De tre bukkene bruse som skulde gaa til sæter og gjøre sig fede" 1870 - 1878

This small print is an illustration for the Norwegian fairy tale "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," made by an anonymous artist. Its story, about three goats who must cross a bridge guarded by a troll, speaks to the cultural anxieties of rural life, and the ever-present dangers lurking in the natural world. Look at the goat's face. The anonymous artist gives the animal human-like qualities, hinting at folklore traditions where animals and humans interact on equal terms. The troll in the story represents the threat of the unknown, perhaps reflecting the social tensions between rural communities and the outside world. As art historians, we often turn to folklore studies and social histories to fully understand such works. These resources can reveal how traditional stories reflected and shaped the values and fears of the people who told them. The meaning of this seemingly simple illustration is contingent on understanding its cultural and historical context.