Illustration til "Halvhundrede Fabler for Børn" af Hey 1834

Martinus Rørbye made this illustration for "Half a Hundred Fables for Children" using engraving techniques. Notice the array of toys, including the hoop, rocking horse, and the figure of a soldier. These objects represent more than mere playthings; they embody the child’s world of imagination. The hoop, in its circular form, echoes ancient symbols of wholeness and continuity, seen in the Ouroboros—the snake eating its own tail. This symbol transcends time, appearing in ancient Egyptian and Greek traditions, illustrating the cyclical nature of existence. Consider also the nutcracker figure, a guardian of sorts. The toys arranged on the table hint at a miniature world, with trees, figures and animals, and perhaps, a latent narrative, reflective of our own subconscious narratives. Through the ages, these symbols reappear, transformed yet familiar, in our collective memory, constantly reshaping our understanding of life's eternal cycles.