Et Overfall 

Theodor Severin Kittelsen created this monochrome drawing, Et Overfall, in an unknown year. Here, we see a rather theatrical encounter: a giant bumblebee menacing a beetle-like figure dressed in formal attire, complete with a top hat and cane. The heart on the beetle-man’s sleeve is the most prominent symbol. This emblem transcends time, recalling ancient beliefs about the heart as the seat of emotions, courage, or morality. Consider the Sacred Heart in Christian iconography, embodying divine love, or the heart pierced by arrows, representing earthly love's pain. Kittelsen uses the symbol of the heart to evoke a deep, subconscious response. The heart, a universal emblem of love and vulnerability, is juxtaposed with the aggressive bee, creating tension and engaging viewers on a deep emotional level. These symbols are not static; they evolve, adapt, and resurface, echoing through different eras and reflecting humanity's cyclical journey through love, fear, and transformation.