Gutt Paa Hvit Hest 

Theodor Severin Kittelsen likely made this painting, "Gutt Paa Hvit Hest", sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Kittelsen's work is steeped in Norwegian folklore and national romanticism, a cultural movement that sought to define a unique national identity, often through its connection to nature and folklore. Here, we see a boy riding a white horse through a landscape that seems to shimmer between reality and dream, a realm where Nordic myths come alive. The eerie glow of the pale horse and the shadowy forest reflects Kittelsen's own struggles with mental health and poverty, infusing the scene with both beauty and melancholy. The boy almost disappears on the horse, underscoring a sense of vulnerability and transition, perhaps hinting at the passage from childhood to adulthood amid the stark realities of life. This artwork serves as a reminder that our cultural narratives can be both a source of comfort and a reflection of our deepest anxieties.