Randtegning i oldnordisk dragestil. Til en norsk bog 1847 - 1938

This is F. Hendriksen's "Randtegning i oldnordisk dragestil. Til en norsk bog," or "Border design in old Norse dragon style. For a Norwegian book." Hendriksen created this drawing at a time when there was growing interest in Norse mythology. Notice how Hendriksen uses the dragon style to create a border filled with interwoven patterns. This intertwining and the dragon motifs create an aesthetic that evokes the Viking age. At the top of the drawing a figure stands, a possible reference to Norse gods or heroes, which contrasts with the lower section depicting what appears to be a royal wedding scene. It is worth considering the social and cultural context that led to the popularity of Norse mythology in the 19th century. There was a growing desire to express national identity through cultural heritage. The piece evokes a feeling of grandeur and nostalgia for a heroic past. Hendriksen invites us to reflect on our own relationship with history, identity, and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.