Silver Duck 

Editor: So, here we have Theodor Kittelsen's ink drawing, "Silver Duck." There's such a palpable sense of folklore here! What do you make of this imposing figure emerging from the water? Curator: This drawing allows us to delve into Kittelsen's fascinating blend of Norwegian folklore and social commentary. What do you notice about the figure's clothing and demeanor? Does it seem like a conventional portrayal of a troll, for example? Editor: I see a kind of… forced civility, almost. The buttons, the attempt at a coat, but overwhelmed by this shaggy, wild presence. Does this reflect the tension between nature and civilization that was brewing at the time in Norway? Curator: Exactly! Kittelsen often used these figures to critique the encroachment of modern society on traditional ways of life and on nature itself. Consider Norway's struggle for independence during Kittelsen’s life: the troll can embody the essence of Norwegian national identity, battling against outside influence, even colonization. How does that reading affect your understanding? Editor: That shifts the whole perspective. This isn't just a monster; it's a symbol of resistance, a figure struggling to adapt but retaining its core identity. The landscape becomes equally charged, less a backdrop and more a threatened homeland. Curator: Precisely. And consider, too, the inherent biases in representing folklore. Whose stories are told? Who gets to define "civilization?" Kittelsen offers us a chance to examine these power dynamics through the lens of myth and art. Editor: This gives the drawing so much more depth! What I saw as just fantasy, I now see tied to tangible struggles with identity, oppression and nationalism. Curator: Exactly. Art can be a powerful vehicle for examining, reinterpreting, and questioning established norms.