Copyright: Public domain
This is Artuš Scheiner's illustration for Božena Němcová's Fairy Tales. Although the exact date remains unknown, we can contextualise it in Bohemia during the late 19th or early 20th century. The image depicts a king surrounded by women in folk costumes, and a cook. This image creates meaning through its references to Czech folklore and the cultural nationalism that swept through Bohemia in the 19th century. Czech intellectuals and artists, including Němcová and Scheiner, sought to revive and celebrate their cultural heritage in response to Austrian rule. Scheiner's image participates in this revival by connecting the imagined world of fairy tales with the everyday life of the common people. The presence of the king, cook and traditionally dressed women speaks to the complex social structure of Bohemia. To understand this illustration better, scholars consult archives, literary studies, and historical accounts of Czech nationalism and folklore. Art like this serves not only as an aesthetic object, but as a cultural artifact deeply embedded in social and institutional history.
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