Cormorant 1891

Theodor Severin Kittelsen made this image of cormorants using ink on paper, but the date is unknown. This is a landscape depicting a gathering of cormorants by the sea. Kittelsen was Norwegian and he used the natural environment to explore themes of national identity. During the 19th century in Norway, romantic nationalism encouraged artists to turn to nature to define a sense of belonging to a place and to distinguish Norway’s culture from that of other European nations. Thinkers of the time believed that nature was a reflection of the soul, and they sought to connect with the natural world through artistic expression. Although the artist’s birth predated Norwegian Independence, the themes present in his art underscore the nationalistic environment of the late 19th century. Understanding the social and cultural context of this image encourages a deeper appreciation of it. You can find resources for studying art history in libraries, archives, and online databases.