Studier af klassiske gravsteler 1919

Niels Larsen Stevns made this drawing, Studies of Classical Gravestones, using graphite on paper. The most immediate aspect of the work is its apparent simplicity. A graphite drawing may seem basic, but consider its qualities: The artist carefully applied pressure to the graphite, creating a range of tones and textures, while a constant sharpening maintained the precision of the lines. The work also speaks to a longer social history, as in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, artists often went through rigorous academic training, learning how to draw from classical sources and antique casts before working with color or contemporary subjects. Ultimately, this drawing invites us to consider the layers of history and process embedded within even the simplest of artworks, and to recognize the labor, skill, and tradition that inform their creation.