Illustration til "Ole Lukøie" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 1 1870 - 1873

Editor: This is an engraving by H.P. Hansen, made between 1870 and 1873, titled "Illustration til 'Ole Lukøie.'" It shows a peculiar scene - a giant mouse pulling a man in a contraption. I find it whimsical and unsettling. What do you make of it? Curator: It's a fascinating glimpse into the visual language of storytelling, isn't it? Notice how the artist uses familiar symbols – the mouse, often linked with the domestic and the diminutive – and juxtaposes it with the soldier, an emblem of authority and control. What cultural memories might this spark? Editor: Well, fairy tales often use animals to represent human characteristics, but this seems to turn that idea on its head. The scale is all wrong! It feels symbolic, but of what? Curator: Exactly! Think about the era this was created in – a time of societal shifts and evolving power structures. The mouse, magnified, almost mocks the soldier's stature. Do you think this is a social commentary or a simple fantastical element accompanying a child’s story? Editor: Perhaps it is both? The absurdity is definitely dreamlike. I am curious about the psychological underpinnings of pairing such contrasting symbols, I hadn’t considered the power dynamics before. Curator: Indeed, the psychological aspect is powerful. Hansen invites us to consider how established hierarchies can be upended in our dreams, imaginations, or even in our understanding of the world around us. Editor: Looking at it this way has revealed layers of meaning I never considered. It’s a deceptively simple image carrying considerable cultural weight. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Visual symbols continue to hold emotional and cultural weight. Never stop questioning what they mean.