"Den nye Arion" 1852

"Den nye Arion" (The New Arion), created in 1852 by Danish artist Constantin Hansen, is a satirical print depicting a man riding a fish while playing a guitar. This humorous artwork, housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, references the Greek myth of Arion, a musician who was saved from drowning by a dolphin after being thrown overboard. Hansen's work uses this classic tale to comment on contemporary Danish society, highlighting the absurdity of relying on chance for salvation. The simple yet effective black and white lines create a visually striking caricature, effectively conveying the artist's witty message.