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

This illustration for O. Specter’s "Fabler for Børn", or "Fables for Children," was made by Vilhelm Kyhn, sometime in the 19th century. It’s an etching, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then inked and pressed onto paper. The image shows a boy wrestling with a goat, rendered in a style emphasizing labor-intensive detail. The thousands of tiny etched lines create a wealth of texture, from the goat's shaggy fur to the boy’s neatly tailored suit. This precision speaks to the engraver’s skill, a mastery achieved through years of practice. Historically, printmaking served to disseminate images widely and cheaply. This particular print, as an illustration for a children’s book, reflects the growing market for accessible art in the 19th century. So, while it's a small work, it speaks volumes about the intersection of art, industry, and everyday life.