Illustrationsudkast til H.C. Andersen, "Suppe paa en Pølsepind" 1866

This is Lorenz Frølich's ink sketch, "Illustration draft for H.C. Andersen, 'Soup on a Sausage Stick.'" During the 19th century, illustrators played a crucial role in shaping cultural narratives, especially for children. Frølich, working in the Danish Golden Age, was deeply influenced by Romantic nationalism, a movement which sought to define national identity. Fairy tales, like those of Andersen, were central to this project, providing a shared cultural heritage. In this seemingly innocent sketch, we see how power dynamics permeate even children's stories. The owl, often a symbol of wisdom, looms over smaller creatures, suggesting a hierarchy. In the lower left corner, a figure peers out from what looks like a small cage. What is their position in this landscape? And how might class and gender shape their experience? Frølich’s sketch offers a glimpse into the ways seemingly simple stories can reflect and reinforce societal norms, inviting us to consider the emotional and social landscape they create.