Illustration til O. Specter, "Fabler for Børn" 1838

This small illustration was made by Vilhelm Kyhn as part of a series for O. Specter's "Fabler for Børn" (Fables for Children). It is an etching, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see the fine lines that build up the scene. Kyhn has used the etching technique to create a lively scene. The image captures a boy struggling to restrain a colt, its dynamic energy conveyed through line work. The medium facilitates a stark contrast between light and shadow, adding depth to the composition. Consider the social context: illustrations like these were integral to children's literature, shaping young minds through both narrative and visual language. While Kyhn is best known for his landscape paintings, this small print demonstrates his versatility and the significance of printmaking as a medium for disseminating stories and ideas widely in the 19th century.