Peer Gynt 03 1890

Theodor Kittelsen's 1890 wood engraving "Peer Gynt 03" depicts a scene from Henrik Ibsen's play "Peer Gynt." In the image, a man, presumably Peer Gynt, is flung into the air, his body contorted in a desperate attempt to grasp at the elusive form of the "Button Moulder." The dark, swirling background of the engraving emphasizes the supernatural and dream-like nature of the scene, which portrays the protagonist's confrontation with his mortality and the ultimate judgment of his life choices. The dramatic action and expressive lines of the engraving are characteristic of Kittelsen's unique style, known for its blend of realism and fantasy.