Illustration til "Lille Tuk" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 2 1870 - 1873

This is H.P. Hansen’s Illustration for "Lille Tuk" in H.C. Andersen’s "Eventyr og Historier", from the second volume. Hansen, working in the 19th century, captures a domestic scene that reflects the values and the social structure of the time. Consider the children depicted here: a boy and a girl. What roles are they being prepared for? The boy studies, while the girl sews, hinting at the gendered expectations of the era. It's a tender scene, yet it subtly reinforces the societal norms and the limited opportunities afforded to women. Hansen was working during a period of significant social change. As industrialization progressed, traditional roles were often questioned, but deeply ingrained in the social fabric. By referencing Andersen's fairy tale, Hansen invites us into a world where imagination and reality blend. It reflects the societal values of the era, while inviting us to question these same values, and their resonance today.