Figurstudie af siddende olding og stående dreng 1906

This is a pencil drawing made by Joakim Skovgaard, of a seated old man and standing boy. Look at the open weave of light and dark lines that create the forms. It’s like the image is built from many separate marks that together create a shimmering effect. The artist embraces a kind of incompleteness here, allowing the process to remain visible. You can see the texture of the paper coming through. The lines feel tentative, searching. Notice how the old man’s hands are drawn, with the open book resting on his lap. The lines almost dissolve into each other, creating an ambiguity of form. It’s a gestural dance between representation and abstraction, between what is solid and what is ethereal. Skovgaard's drawing reminds me of a younger, less brooding version of Käthe Kollwitz. The way the image is built up from loosely hatched lines. Both artists share a concern with the human figure, and with the capacity for drawing to express profound emotion and empathy. Art is a conversation, and this piece is a fascinating contribution.