Siddende, rygvendt kvinde med barn 1900

Joakim Skovgaard made this drawing of a woman and child in 1900, likely on paper with pencil and chalk. The lines are quickly rendered, giving an intimate glimpse into a domestic scene. Notice the tonal range Skovgaard achieves, from the soft grays of the woman's dress to the brighter hues of her shawl and the baby's face. The paper itself contributes to the drawing, its warm tone acting as a base for the composition. The artist’s hand is evident in the sketchiness of the lines, and in the rubbing of the chalk that creates volume with light and shadow. The softness of the materials creates a feeling of tenderness, appropriate to the subject matter. Skovgaard could have chosen more academic media like oil paint, but the immediacy of drawing speaks volumes. It elevates a simple scene to a timeless image of motherhood.