Illustration til "Halvhundrede Fabler for Børn" af Hey 1834

This illustration for "Halvhundrede Fabler for Børn" was made by Martinus Rørbye in the 19th Century, using pen and ink on paper. The qualities of the drawing stem from the artist's hand and his chosen medium. Note how the texture of the dog’s fur is achieved with tiny hatched lines, and how carefully the light falls across the scene. The image is simple, but carefully observed. Rørbye was a trained painter, and so the drawing represents a conscious choice to work in a more humble medium, perhaps to appeal to a wider audience. In the 19th century, the market for printed images exploded, and artists like Rørbye were keen to capitalize on this trend, but even in an era of increasing mechanization, the hand-drawn image retained its appeal. So while the drawing may seem simple, it represents a complex negotiation between art, commerce, and the changing social landscape of 19th century Denmark.