Du er inderlig styg... 1928

Fritz Syberg made this pen and ink drawing, "Du er inderlig styg…" at an unknown date. The marks are quick, kind of frantic, but there’s a real sense of observation and feeling in them. It’s like he's trying to capture a fleeting moment, a glimpse of ducks in a pond surrounded by reeds. Look how Syberg uses these simple lines to suggest so much – the texture of the reeds, the reflections in the water, even the movement of the ducks. The density of the marks varies, creating areas of light and shadow. Notice the scribbled lines that form the foliage on the left, they’re so alive, so full of energy. It's this raw, expressive quality that really grabs me. Syberg reminds me a little of Käthe Kollwitz, in his unpretentious approach to drawing. Both artists share a deep sense of empathy, capturing the world around them with honesty and feeling. For Syberg, it’s not about perfection, it’s about capturing the essence of a scene.