Studier efter gravmæler 1932 - 1935

Niels Larsen Stevns created these "Studies after gravmæler" with graphite on paper, and you can see it at the SMK. The rapidly drawn lines give a sense of immediacy and suggest that Stevns was capturing fleeting observations. Looking at these tomb drawings, I imagine the artist, sketchbook in hand, quickly trying to distill the essence of each grave. Notice how the architecture looms, and yet the figures look so small in comparison. But aren’t we all tiny in the face of time? I wonder what Stevns wanted to convey with these juxtapositions. The wreath shape is so striking! It reminds me of the kinds of forms you see in the work of artists like Marsden Hartley or even Hilma af Klint. Ultimately, the image is a reminder of the ongoing conversation between artists across different eras. Each of us builds on the work of those who came before, adding our unique voice to the mix.