Blank 1902 - 1905

This small sheet of paper, by Niels Larsen Stevns, is held at the SMK. I love looking at a blank sheet of paper. It’s like staring into possibility. Here, the surface has a slight tooth. You can almost feel the texture, like fine sandpaper, just waiting for a mark. There’s a history embedded in the paper itself, a story of its making, of pulp and process. Look closely, and you’ll see the ghostliest specks of red and brown, accidental freckles. The torn edge on the left gives it an unfinished quality, like a page ripped from a sketchbook. But is it unfinished, or is it complete in its emptiness? It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s grids, or maybe a Rothko, not in color but in potential. It’s all about what could be, and maybe, what shouldn't be. It's a reminder that art isn’t just about the final product, but about the conversation between the artist and the materials.