Illustration til "Fablen om løvens jagt" 1872

Editor: So, this is Franz Wilhelm Obermann's 1872 woodcut, "Illustration til 'Fablen om løvens jagt.'" The starkness of the black lines really draws my attention, and the lion’s central positioning feels imposing. What can you tell me about it? Curator: I see here a commentary on power dynamics, a frequent theme in fables. Given its creation in 1872, consider the political climate of Europe at the time, rife with nationalism and burgeoning empires. This seemingly simple illustration participates in a much larger dialogue about social hierarchy. Who benefits, and who suffers? Look at the other animals - how do you think the choice to depict them was influenced by contemporary ideas about race or class? Editor: That’s fascinating, I hadn’t considered that. I suppose I just saw the animals at face value. What makes you say that this artwork makes a specific social commentary on the depiction of the lion? Curator: Think about it; lions have historically been symbols of royalty, of strength, of inherent right. By placing this lion, literally, above the others with a slaughtered animal at its paws, the work presents not just a story, but a loaded argument. And don’t overlook the landscape. Notice how bleak it appears, emphasizing the lack of resources and potential struggle for survival amongst those without power. Is the fable’s narrative perhaps serving as an allegory for 19th-century societal inequities? Editor: Wow, that gives me so much to consider. So the artwork's real meaning may be a social critique about class or race struggle presented as an illustration. That makes it far more powerful than I initially understood. Thank you! Curator: Absolutely. It’s vital to remember that art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Examining these pieces through an intersectional lens illuminates these stories with an entirely new relevance and purpose.