Illustration til "Halvhundrede Fabler for Børn" af Hey 1834

Martinus Rørbye made this illustration for "Halvhundrede Fabler for Børn" with pen and ink. Rørbye's lifetime coincided with the Danish Golden Age, a period marked by national romanticism that fostered distinct cultural identities. The fables, combined with Rørbye's illustrations, were intended to impart moral lessons to children. In this fable, a large pig sits, encircled by its young, adjacent to a modest dwelling. We might consider how the artist plays with the themes of domesticity and nature by juxtaposing the figures of the corpulent pig and her piglets with the humble farmyard scene, creating an intimate portrait of rural life. The choice of such a subject reflects a broader societal interest in agrarian life and its perceived virtues. In light of historical and social contexts, this fable prompts us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world.