Humle 

This is an ink drawing by Theodor Severin Kittelsen, called "Humle," the Norwegian word for bumblebee. The drawing is stark, contrasting black ink against a white background. Note the central, roughly spherical body of the bee. It's densely filled with tightly packed, short strokes that convey a sense of texture and volume. The wings, composed of parallel dashes, imply movement and lightness. The legs are rendered as simple lines suggesting a delicate yet purposeful structure. Kittelsen was deeply engaged with Norwegian folklore and nature, exploring themes of isolation, the sublime, and the darker aspects of the natural world. He used his art to probe existential questions. The bee, rendered with such intensity, could be seen as a symbol, perhaps of the hidden forces of nature or the fragility of life. Consider how the contrast and density of the ink create a tension, a visual weight that draws us into the minute details of this creature's form. It asks us to look closely, not just at the bee, but also at the deeper, often unseen layers of existence.