Raftsund waterway 1891

Theodor Severin Kittelsen made this pen and ink drawing called 'Raftsund waterway.' Made in Norway, at the end of the 19th century, the image shows a dramatic landscape of mountains, water, and trees, all rendered with striking detail. But landscape for Kittelsen was never simply about the picturesque, his artistic production can be read in the context of a rising sense of Norwegian nationalism during the late 19th century. Artists began to look to the natural world for a sense of cultural identity. As the country sought to establish its independence from foreign powers, the majestic landscapes became symbols of national pride and cultural heritage. It's no coincidence that Kittelsen is also known for his illustrations of Norwegian folklore, fairytales, and legends. To understand Kittelsen’s work more fully, one might consult archives of Norwegian cultural history, exhibition catalogs from the period, and studies of nationalism in 19th-century Scandinavian art.