Illustrationsudkast til H.C. Andersen, Skarnbassen 1867

Lorenz Frølich made this illustration for Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, "The Beetle," using pen and ink. It depicts a blacksmith, his assistant, and a horse within a humble stable, with a dung beetle in the foreground. Created in Denmark, likely during the mid-19th century, this piece reflects the era’s fascination with folklore and moral storytelling, which was often harnessed to convey social commentary. Andersen's story, like many of his works, uses animal allegory to satirize human vanity and social climbing. Frølich’s illustration underscores this theme by placing the lowly beetle in proximity to figures representing labor and nobility – the blacksmith and the horse. The image serves not only as a visual aid to the text but also as a commentary on the social hierarchy. To fully understand it, one might delve into the publishing history of Andersen’s works, considering the role of illustrations in shaping public reception, or examine Frølich's other works to trace his artistic development and political views. Ultimately, this artwork's meaning is rooted in its cultural and institutional context.