Bissekræmmeren og hans hund. Illustration til H.V. Kaalund, "Fabler for Børn" 1866

"Bissekræmmeren og hans Hund" (1866) is a pen and ink illustration by Danish artist H.P. Hansen (1829-1899). The illustration depicts a bissekræmmer (a type of peddler) and his dog, sitting in a field by the side of the road, likely on a journey. The scene is set against a backdrop of a stone monument in the distance, referencing the peddler's humble livelihood. The illustration is a detailed and charming depiction of a simple story, with the dog's attentive gaze and the bissekræmmer's relaxed pose conveying a sense of companionship and contentment. The artwork was created for H.V. Kaalund’s "Fabler for Børn" (Fables for Children), demonstrating the importance of children's literature in Danish art during the 19th century. "Bissekræmmeren og hans Hund" is a prime example of the detailed and evocative illustrations popular during this period, providing a window into the everyday lives of ordinary people and the close relationship between humans and animals.