Illustration til Grundtvig: "Den signede dag" 1887 - 1891

Editor: So, this is an illustration for Grundtvig’s "Den signede dag," made between 1887 and 1891, and currently held at the SMK. It seems to be ink drawings and etchings. What immediately strikes me is how it evokes a feeling of both serenity and slight melancholy. The cherubic figures contrast with the almost desolate landscape. How do you interpret the symbolism at play here? Curator: The artist certainly taps into powerful visual tropes. The angels, for instance, are a deeply rooted symbol, initially messengers of the divine, but overtime carrying layers of innocence, guidance, and even loss, especially prevalent in the Romantic and Symbolist movements. Notice how they are rendered almost as androgynous figures, adrift. Does that strike you as intentional? Editor: It does. There's a sense of ambiguity in their portrayal, their wings are delicate and quite small. And that castle looming in the distance seems less a place of refuge and more of a distant ideal. Curator: Precisely! The castle as a symbol carries its own weight: aspirations, unattainable desires, the spiritual home. And situated as it is, atop a cloudy peak, the path is obscured. I would say, notice how the water, rather turbulent in places, speaks to emotional unease, or perhaps a spiritual journey fraught with obstacles. Even the lone boat represents human passage, our constant striving. What about the light? Do you find that resonates too? Editor: Yes, that faint sun – almost hidden – evokes a sense of hope, but also a veiled promise, something not easily grasped. It all suggests a complex internal landscape rather than a literal scene. Curator: A visual poem of the soul, wouldn’t you say? The symbols become keys that unlock deeper meanings. It reflects a universal yearning that transcends time and individual experience. Editor: I agree. I'll definitely look at romantic landscapes differently after this!