Udkast til "Kristus helbreder en spedalsk" 1937 - 1938

Curator: We're now viewing a preliminary sketch, dating from 1937-38, by Niels Larsen Stevns titled, "Udkast til 'Kristus helbreder en spedalsk.'" It's rendered in pencil on paper and resides here at the SMK. Editor: The immediacy of the sketch jumps out—so many active lines implying motion and texture, even though it's predominantly light. I get a palpable sense of yearning from this work. Curator: Indeed. Even in this nascent stage, Stevns captures the essence of compassion central to the biblical narrative of Christ healing the leper. The symbols may be sparse but they are loaded: the touching of hands which implies a passing of purity or divinity... Editor: I’m fascinated by how the composition leads our eye. From left to right we see the palm or some botanical form on one page and Christ figure on the other. Do you feel that is symbolic in some way? The botanical could also point to the idea of healing or a remedy for disease. Curator: It is also possible to think about a specific moment from the story: Christ touched the man afflicted with leprosy. That contact was the physical manifestation of Christ's compassion and power, overriding ritual and cultural boundaries. It represents empathy extended to those stigmatized and ostracized from communities then and sometimes, today. Editor: A lot of what moves me comes back to line. Consider the architectural details hinted at behind the figure of Christ. The strong verticals lend the composition stability and give him additional presence. Even as a preparatory sketch, the materiality has incredible intention. Curator: Such stark contrast emphasizes the dramatic significance of this moment and gives you chills. The power lies not just in representation but in symbolic communication. It offers a visceral understanding beyond language. Editor: Absolutely, and appreciating Stevns' use of form allows a deeper grasp of that power, echoing through art history, influencing its own narrative thread, and reaching viewers anew today. It makes you wonder about the full size of the rendering for such an intricate, loaded set of decisions.