Illustration til H. C. Andersen "Det døende Barn" 1815 - 1882

H.J. Hammer created this illustration for Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Dying Child" in the 19th century. The image is a window into the cultural and emotional landscape of the time, and depicts a scene of earthly sorrow and celestial hope. Hammer's work gives us insight into the ways 19th-century society grappled with themes of death, childhood, and faith. It reflects a world where death, especially child mortality, was a more present reality. Here, the dying child is surrounded by family, and as angels descend, their expressions convey grief mixed with spiritual longing. The etching is framed by ornate floral patterns, contrasting earthly suffering with the promise of heavenly redemption. Hammer delicately balances the intimacy of personal grief with the grand narrative of Christian salvation. Through this lens, we can consider how societal beliefs shape our most profound experiences of love, loss, and mortality.