Illustration til "Gjordemoderen og Trolden" 1843

H. C. Henneberg created this small illustration for "The Midwife and the Troll" sometime in the 19th century, a period when folklore and fairy tales were used to explore cultural anxieties and societal norms. The wood engraving depicts a midwife and a man in a horse-drawn cart encountering a troll, reflecting the period's fascination with folklore and its use in constructing national identity. The midwife, a figure traditionally associated with childbirth and women's knowledge, crosses paths with a troll, a creature of the margins. The image speaks to the historical role of women in healthcare, often practicing outside the bounds of institutionalized medicine. It also hints at the fear and superstition surrounding childbirth, especially in rural communities, where folklore often served as a way to understand the uncertainties of life. This illustration reminds us of the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of the world, and how those stories often reflect our deepest fears and desires.