Professor Gudes Doetre 

Theodor Severin Kittelsen made this delicate pencil sketch, titled "Professor Gudes Doetre," with no specific date assigned to it. The scene depicts two figures seated outdoors, possibly daughters of a professor, set against a backdrop reminiscent of Norway's serene landscapes. Kittelsen was active during a period of burgeoning nationalism in Norway, and although not explicitly political, his work often evoked a sense of national identity through its depictions of nature and folklore. The simplicity of the sketch and the informal setting suggest a departure from more formal portraiture, reflecting perhaps a growing interest in depicting everyday life. Kittelsen's career was influenced by the art institutions of his time, including his training in Munich and his later association with the Norwegian artists' colony in Kragerø. To fully understand Kittelsen's context, we might consult exhibition catalogues from his lifetime, study his correspondence, and examine contemporary critical responses to his work. This helps us see the image not just as an aesthetic object, but as a cultural artifact.