Odin? 1831 - 1852

This is Dankvart Dreyer's pen and brown ink drawing, titled 'Odin?'. Dreyer was working in the first half of the 19th century, during a time when artists were exploring national identity through folklore and mythology. This piece seems to engage with those themes, portraying a figure that might be the Norse god Odin. But the question mark in the title already hints at an ambivalence that complicates any straightforward reading. Is it Odin, or is it Dreyer's interpretation of a cultural symbol? The sketch-like quality of the drawing gives a sense of immediacy. The ethereal rendering invites contemplation about the shifting nature of cultural identity and representation. In a time of social and political change, Dreyer seems to be asking us to consider how we engage with the stories that define us. It prompts us to question the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, and who we aspire to be.