Knibet på Næsen 1847 - 1938

F. Hendriksen made this drawing, "Knibet på Næsen", in 1899, using pen and brown ink on paper. The title translates to "Pinch on the Nose" or "Nose-thumbing." It depicts what appears to be gnomes or perhaps trolls within circular frames. In 19th-century Denmark, folklore was a popular source of imagery. Artists drew on these stories to explore themes of national identity and cultural heritage. The work may also be a satirical comment on social behavior. Nose-thumbing is a rude gesture, so Hendriksen could be commenting on someone's bad behavior or mocking authority figures. To understand this image better, we might research Danish folklore from this period, as well as the function of satire within the art of the late 19th century. In doing so, we can appreciate how Hendriksen's art interacts with the cultural norms of its time.