Plantestudie 1906 - 1910

"Plant Study" is a watercolor and ink drawing by Niels Larsen Stevns, and although undated, was likely created sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Stevns was deeply rooted in the Danish Symbolist movement, which was a time of questioning and searching for meaning beyond the surface of everyday life. This work captures the intense observation of the natural world which was central to Stevns’ art, and to the Symbolist movement more broadly. The detailed, almost scientific rendering of the plant contrasts starkly with the dark, undefined background. This juxtaposition creates a sense of isolation, drawing our attention to the minute details and textures of the plant itself. Consider this work as both a study of the natural world and a reflection of the artist's inner world. There is an element of the melancholic here, as the artist seems to be contemplating the delicate balance between life and the void.