Slagsmaal Mellem To Skarnbasser 1894

Theodor Severin Kittelsen rendered this lively scene of fighting beetles with ink and watercolor. Observe how Kittelsen imbues these beetles with human-like qualities. The motif of anthropomorphized animals in conflict is ancient. Recall Aesop’s fables, where animals embody human virtues and vices to impart moral lessons. But here, there is also a satirical commentary on human conflict. Consider the dung balls the beetles hurl—symbols of earthly concerns and material possessions, transformed into weapons of aggression. It is not unlike how sacred symbols can be twisted to justify conflict. There’s a dark humor at play, engaging us on a primal level. Kittelsen taps into our collective memory, reminding us that the absurdity of conflict is a recurring theme in the human drama. These beetles remind us of the cyclical nature of human folly, reappearing across time in different guises.