Illustration til "Gjæte Kongens Harer" 1870 - 1878

This ink illustration, "Gjæte Kongens Harer," meaning 'Tending the King’s Hares', was created by an anonymous artist. Look closely, and you'll see that the artist used a technique that relies on the precision of line work. With the use of hatching and cross-hatching, they build up tone, create depth, and convey the textures of the natural world, as well as the figures. The social context hints at themes of labor and class, as the title suggests a narrative centered around tending or herding for royalty. This points towards hierarchies and the lives of those in service. The artist's illustrative style, with its detailed linework and narrative content, speaks to the tradition of storytelling through images, popular in folk traditions. What we see here challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, as the artist brings technical skill to illustrate, while also hinting at the importance of labor, context, and social commentary.