Studie af ornament 1919

Niels Larsen Stevns made this pencil sketch, Studie af ornament, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. This study provides insight into the academic methods of the time, where copying and analyzing historical ornament was crucial for understanding artistic principles and visual language. Here, Stevns is engaging with an established visual vocabulary rooted in the cultural and artistic traditions of Europe. During this period, art institutions emphasized the study of historical styles as a foundation for contemporary artistic creation. Sketchbooks such as this were commonplace for artists and designers, serving as a portable archive of forms and motifs. They reflect a specific institutional approach to art education. Examining sources such as Stevns’s other works, exhibition records, and the curricula of art academies can reveal the social and artistic values attached to ornament. Remember, understanding art involves understanding the social conditions in which it was made and taught.