Illustration til "Guldfuglen" 1870 - 1882

This illustration for "Guldfuglen" or "The Golden Bird" seems to be made in Denmark, although we don't know when or by whom. The image shows a man fleeing through a forest in what appears to be a desperate attempt to escape with his life. Given the title, we can imagine this man is fleeing with the golden bird. The cultural meanings of birds are wide and varied. They can represent freedom, peace, prosperity, or a link between the earthly and spiritual realms. But who is he running from? And why does he need to steal the bird? To truly understand this image, we need to know the story it illustrates and the history of its reception. Researching folk tales might shed light on the symbolic importance of the golden bird and the narrative context of this illustration, revealing its social and cultural significance within its original context.