Notater, fortsat fra blad 14 recto. Om det østromerske rige som smeltedigel for forskellige kulturer; og om "Sejren": "Jeg skal sejre det ved jeg og det skal sejre gennem mig" 1913 - 1914

Curator: Here we have “Notater, fortsat fra blad 14 recto. Om det østromerske rige som smeltedigel for forskellige kulturer; og om 'Sejren': 'Jeg skal sejre det ved jeg og det skal sejre gennem mig'”, a drawing made with ink on paper around 1913-1914 by J.A. Jerichau. It’s currently held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: My goodness, that's quite a mouthful of a title! At first glance, it looks like a page torn straight from a mystic’s journal—overflowing with cryptic script, hinting at grand pronouncements and secret formulas. There's a delicate intensity to it, almost like eavesdropping on a very private moment of inspiration. Curator: Precisely! It’s from a notebook where Jerichau explored a fascinating blend of cultural history and personal revelation. The writing references the Byzantine Empire as a melting pot, alongside declarations of victory. We can understand these notebook pages as a testament to the artist’s aspirations and the intertwining of his inner self with historical forces. This approach resonates with modern and symbolist aesthetics of that time. Editor: The phrase "melting pot" makes me think about the clash of identities and cultural negotiations. The personal victory stated as "I shall conquer through it" hints at so many things. Does it talk about political power? Gender roles in society? Jerichau uses the image of the melting pot to illustrate something so individual…it’s magnetic! Curator: I see the work also as an insight into how artists engage with both the weight of history and the fervor of personal ambition. Jerichau positions himself, or perhaps his artistic vision, within a lineage of historical actors striving for greatness, using the Byzantine Empire as a metaphor. The intersection of cultures suggests the artist seeks strength and justification from that combination. Editor: Yes, it is a compelling study of one's will. Thank you, I see this simple journal page is far from simple! It encapsulates huge ideas around identity, aspiration, and even the weight of history, all crammed onto a single, unassuming page. Curator: Indeed, it encapsulates how the artist perceived their own creative struggle—their hopes and artistic endeavors against a global historical perspective.