Skjolds kamp med bjørnen 1852

Editor: This is "Skjolds kamp med bjørnen," or "Skjold's fight with the bear," a woodcut engraving from 1852 by H. C. Henneberg. It strikes me as such an interesting depiction of masculinity. I mean, what's with the hug? What’s your interpretation of this image, considering its historical context? Curator: It's fascinating to examine how 19th-century art shaped ideas about Danish identity and power. Consider the revival of Norse mythology and sagas during this period. Henneberg taps into that wellspring. Skjold, a legendary figure, battling a bear, becomes a metaphor for Denmark's struggle against, or perhaps even its embrace of, nature's wildness. Look at the horrified figures in the background versus the direct connection between Skjold and the bear, like an odd, national ballet. What kind of cultural messages do you think this promotes? Editor: Hmmm, you're right. It could be suggesting that the Danish identity embraces bravery and strength through a connection with the raw, untamed elements. It also appears like propaganda, romanticizing a foundational national myth! Is the engraving process relevant here, suggesting an attempt at mass appeal? Curator: Exactly! Engravings, being reproducible, made these national narratives accessible to a wider audience, cementing those very values within popular culture. Also note that in this same period, national museums like the Statens Museum for Kunst where it is now located are also being founded. These things aren't random. How do museums display the work and control who tells that history? Editor: It's almost as if Henneberg anticipated it being in the museum someday! It is all so very self-conscious. Curator: Absolutely! This makes me wonder about the influence of these images on shaping historical memory and national character in Denmark. It certainly has shifted my perception. Editor: Definitely, mine too. Considering the history of the print changes my perspective on how it acts almost like an advertisement for Denmark. Thanks!