To skikkelser 1909 - 1910

Editor: This piece, "To skikkelser," or "Two Figures," by Robert Storm Petersen, dating from around 1909-1910, is rendered in pastel, watercolor and drawing. It feels both intimate and somewhat unfinished, like a fleeting sketch. The earthy tones give it a raw quality. How do you interpret the relationship between these figures? Curator: I see this work as speaking to the evolving attitudes toward the nude in the early 20th century and it may allude to both societal fascination and discomfort. Petersen places the female nude at the forefront, partly concealing another figure, challenging the traditional power dynamics inherent in portraying the female form for a predominantly male gaze. Editor: That's a fascinating take! I hadn’t considered it in light of those power dynamics. The male figure does seem rather…recessive. Do you think the choice of medium - pastel and watercolor - contributes to that impression? Curator: Absolutely. The fluid and somewhat ephemeral nature of watercolor and pastel aligns with a shift in how artists like Petersen approached representation. Compared to the more academic, polished styles favored previously, these mediums lend themselves to capturing a fleeting moment or a raw emotional state. Also consider the burgeoning museum culture and art market of the time. What role might these factors play in Petersen's decision to create a work like this? Editor: Hmm, maybe Petersen aimed to create something that was both accessible and challenging to the conventional art establishment? It makes you wonder how audiences at the time received it. I've definitely learned a lot about how context shapes art. Curator: Precisely! Considering the historical and social background reveals layers of meaning in even seemingly simple works. It invites us to think critically about the politics of imagery and how artists like Petersen negotiated the public role of art.