Uvætteyngelen 1870 - 1923

Editor: So, here we have *Uvatteyngelen*, a print by an anonymous artist created between 1870 and 1923. It depicts a group travelling in what appears to be a snowy forest. There's a definite somber, almost grim, feel to it. What do you see in this piece, especially considering its historical context? Curator: It strikes me as an intriguing piece of narrative art. Look at the title and inscription - does this artwork evoke any feelings in relationship to these titles? It speaks of "wolves for all" – it highlights the ways imagery becomes implicated in specific political and cultural climates, the role that such a stark landscape might have played in shaping national identity, and perhaps anxieties surrounding resources, safety, or the 'other'. Editor: So, it's not just about the pretty landscape? Curator: Not at all! Consider the date; this engraving emerges from a period rife with social and political upheaval across Europe. Think about how landscapes were used to solidify nationalistic sentiments. Do you notice anything else that could add insight? Editor: Well, it seems like it could represent a scene of hardship and maybe desperation, with that somewhat haunting depiction of figures traveling through the woods. Are they escaping something? Curator: Exactly! The figures might be interpreted as refugees. This adds layers of socio-political commentary to what seems at first glance like just a depiction of figures in nature, shifting it towards a reflection on power, displacement, and survival in times of turmoil. Editor: That gives the print a whole new weight, thinking about who has access to land and resources, especially during times of conflict. I'll never see landscapes the same way. Curator: Indeed, art rarely exists in a vacuum, and its power often lies in reflecting the world around it, and it asks more complex questions that you imagined on initial viewing.