Tussebryllup 

Editor: This ink drawing on paper, called "Tussebryllup" by Theodor Kittelsen, presents a ghostly gathering in a stark, black-and-white landscape. It has an eerie, dreamlike quality, particularly with those figures emerging from the mist. What do you see in this piece that maybe I'm missing? Curator: Immediately, the symbolism jumps out. This isn't just any gathering; it's a wedding, and the 'Tusse' suggests we're dealing with the Hidden Folk of Norse legend. Consider the crown on one of the figures – royalty, perhaps? These beings often represent untamed nature, powerful forces, and hidden aspects of the self. Editor: So it's about more than just folklore? Curator: Absolutely. Kittelsen wasn't merely illustrating tales; he was exploring the cultural memory embedded within those tales. Notice the dark landscape— a signature of Romanticism—a reflection of inner turmoil, the darker side of the human condition. Editor: I see what you mean. There's a real sense of foreboding. Curator: The forest itself is a potent symbol: a space of both danger and potential transformation, a doorway to the subconscious. It might also be viewed as nature resisting industrial encroachment during that era. Editor: It’s interesting how the image operates on so many levels – a story, a cultural commentary, and something deeply personal. Curator: Indeed. Kittelsen masterfully weaves these threads together, leaving us with a work that continues to resonate with its primal power, connecting us to our ancestral past and inner psyche. Editor: I’ll definitely look at Kittelsen’s art differently now. Thank you!