Stevns klint med Højerup Kirke 1826 - 1893

Curator: H.C. Henneberg’s rendering of “Stevns Klint med Hojerup Kirke," dating from 1826 to 1893 and housed here at the SMK, offers a glimpse into Denmark’s coastal landscape. Editor: There’s a palpable sense of impermanence. The church perches precariously on the cliff's edge, almost as if it could crumble into the sea at any moment. The light and shade are beautifully rendered. Curator: Henneberg captures not just the visual elements, but the precarious social situation of the church and its community, under threat from coastal erosion, a concern which led to the church's eventual abandonment. Note how he uses the print medium, perhaps a woodcut, to circulate this image, raising awareness and maybe funds. Editor: Absolutely. You can see the texture, likely a woodcut based on the grain. It feels…honest. There’s nothing grandiose or overly romanticized about the depiction, which contributes to the sense of immediacy. One can almost smell the salty air. Curator: He very cleverly creates the perspective in such a small work; the church is the prominent feature but as a landmark under threat, a political commentary emerges. The sheep are diminutive and set back on the hill which allows your eye to immediately focus on the foreground. Editor: The scale seems key here too; the smallness of the figures and animals further emphasizes the magnitude and sheer overwhelming natural power of the cliff, sea and sky. The artist clearly understands not just light and form, but how the materiality of the medium affects the interpretation of the scene. It’s simple yet incredibly effective. Curator: It is evocative and incredibly clever, showing how he used prints to reach a larger 19th-century audience, sparking debate. It acts as both an artistic document and social commentary piece, very interesting in terms of Danish heritage. Editor: Indeed. For me, this artwork shows how material limitations can become strengths, shaping a poignant and powerful vision.