Krigen Mellom Froskene Og Musene 03 1885

Editor: Right, let’s dive into Theodor Kittelsen's "The War Between the Frogs and Mice 03," created in 1885 using pen and ink. It's fascinating how he's captured so much drama with such simple materials! There's a real sense of tension, with that poor, bewildered frog. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, where do I begin? It sings to me of the absurdity of conflict, that tragicomedy we humans stage so well. Notice how Kittelsen renders the mouse, a tiny tyrant, almost frothing at the mouth. The frog, facing away, embodies this existential weariness, a feeling I know intimately after a particularly tedious faculty meeting! Editor: That's a striking contrast. I hadn't thought about the frog's posture as weariness, more like…shock? Curator: Perhaps a bit of both! Kittelsen's clever like that, layering emotions. It makes me wonder what's gone wrong for the pair. Have you considered what that means? Editor: Not deeply... Is it as straightforward as the image says, the horror of conflict, or does the fable of frogs and mice offer more than that? Curator: The image itself says little - we add the value! As it happens, the battle between frogs and mice goes way back. I remember, years ago, diving into an ancient Greek parody. This one feels a little closer to home: an ink drawing rather than heroic poetry! Perhaps that battle feels rather more local. Editor: Local? That’s so true. The piece really draws you in. Thank you for opening my eyes to its nuanced perspective! Curator: The pleasure's all mine! Kittelsen reminds us that even the smallest creatures can reflect the biggest human follies. And sometimes, all it takes is a splash of ink to see ourselves in the pond.