January 1890

Theodor Severin Kittelsen created this painting titled "January," date unknown, using watercolor and ink on paper. It merges elements of calendar art with a more profound meditation on nature, life, and death. The work juxtaposes the freshness of a baby's face with the stark reality of winter. The presence of birds, resilient creatures surviving the harsh season, suggests a continuity of life. The Norwegian poem layered over the image reflects on themes of death and renewal, hinting at the transient nature of existence. Kittelsen made the illustration for a calendar, embedding it within the seasonal and cultural rhythms of Norwegian life. In considering Kittelsen's work, a historian might explore 19th-century Norwegian folklore, the Romantic movement's influence on landscape painting, and the role of printed images in shaping cultural identity. It becomes clear that art is not created in a vacuum. It reflects the values, beliefs, and social conditions of its time.