Da løftede den paa en Gang sine Vinger... 1928

Fritz Syberg made this sketch, Da løftede den paa en Gang sine Vinger..., with pen and ink on paper. The energy of the marks feels like a process of discovery for Syberg, hatching lines building up the forms of the trees and reeds as if he's feeling his way through the landscape. The repeated lines create a thick, almost tangible texture, especially in the foreground. The density of the marks makes the reeds feel alive, swaying and rustling in the breeze. And then, that goose! It’s rendered with such quick, confident strokes. You can almost hear the flap of its wings, the splash of water as it takes flight. Looking at Syberg’s process, I am reminded of Van Gogh. I see the same kind of raw energy, the same love for the physical world, and a similar understanding of art-making as a conversation between the artist and the world. It’s not about perfection, but about embracing the messy, unpredictable nature of life itself.