Hjemover 

Curator: This evocative drawing is entitled "Hjemover," which translates to "Homeward." It's by Theodor Kittelsen, though it's undated, it very much encapsulates his late 19th century Romantic style. Editor: Oh, wow. It's… intensely dark, isn’t it? The light, it’s this pinpoint above the trees, and everything else just sort of melts into the shadows. Makes you wonder what’s lurking in there. Curator: Absolutely, that use of light and shadow is very intentional. Kittelsen was deeply fascinated by Norwegian folklore and nature, which is all captured in his drawings and paintings. "Hjemover" showcases that quite effectively. The journey back "home," seems almost like a spiritual quest through a haunted forest. Editor: It definitely feels like a quest, almost a perilous one at that. Are we meant to identify with this silhouetted figure in the sled? The feeling is one of isolation despite the title. Is there perhaps irony in that? Curator: It is open to interpretation, certainly. There’s that sense of romanticism we see time and time again in the 19th century, the solitary figure within an awesome and overpowering landscape. It resonates with feelings of awe, fear, maybe even longing. And don't forget Kittelsen often intertwined these majestic landscapes with figures from folklore – trolls and mythical creatures lurking in the dark woods. Editor: The lack of details beyond the silhouette amplifies that sense of mystery, doesn't it? What are your feelings as an artist yourself when seeing that balance of black and light? Curator: For me, the magic lives in those grays, those in-between spaces, the barely visible trees, and those stars scattered across the sky. That's the real Norway, a dreamscape pulled from a saga. It isn't a landscape exactly, but a state of mind. The pull homeward, towards something that isn't quite tangible. Editor: I find the socio-political aspects of its production also relevant. Romanticism always seems intertwined with ideas of nationhood, doesn't it? The artistic assertion of cultural identity through images of pristine nature, often with strong conservative political elements as well. Curator: A nation reflected through its fairytales, indeed. Looking closer, it's interesting to reflect on how Kittelsen captured it all using a rather basic medium – simply paper and ink. The depth he achieves is breathtaking. Editor: Absolutely. This small, unassuming drawing becomes a window into something vast and deeply ingrained within Norwegian culture. A reminder of how images help shape national and cultural narratives. Curator: A chilling reminder, but evocative too.