Plantestudie 1906 - 1910

This is Niels Larsen Stevns' 'Plantestudie', a plant study made with watercolour, probably en plein air, so on the spot. It’s all about immediacy, seeing and responding, using the paint to chase the light, and capture the essence of the plant. The colours are delicate, with translucent greens and yellows layered to create depth and vibrancy. It's like Stevns is thinking through colour. Look closely, and you can see the washes of paint bleed into each other, creating soft edges and subtle gradations. There is a real energy in those dark tones, the way that he lets them pool and run, creating a sense of atmosphere and depth around the leaves. The dark shadow in the background makes me think of Emil Nolde, the way that he used colour to evoke a sense of the sublime. Ultimately, this study is a testament to the enduring power of observation, and the magic that happens when an artist connects with the world around them.