The Jester 1996

Carl Larsson made this drawing, “The Jester,” with ink on paper. It's as if Larsson was teasing out the image from the page itself. The marks are so fine and delicate, like he was almost afraid to commit, but then they build and build, creating a complex tapestry of textures and tones. I can imagine him, hunched over the paper, squinting and tilting his head, as the composition gradually emerges through trial, error, and intuition. And what about this jester? The figure is crouched at the foot of the throne, but the king seems oblivious to their presence. I am also thinking of Goya, and his paintings of Spanish royalty. It seems the artists are constantly challenging each other! Larsson is really showing us that art is an ongoing conversation, a beautiful exchange of ideas across time.