Studier af fugle 1864 - 1941

Niels Larsen Stevns created this study of birds on paper, now held at the SMK. The scratchy lines and tentative shapes feel like an intimate glimpse into the artist's process. You can imagine him sitting somewhere, sketchbook in hand, quickly trying to capture the fleeting movements of these birds. There’s a lovely, almost playful quality to the way the ducks are rendered. Look at how the feathers on their backs are depicted with just a few simple strokes, suggesting both form and texture. It's fascinating to see the various stages of observation and refinement laid bare on the page. Artists learn so much from each other, across time, through these kinds of observational studies. It's all part of the ongoing conversation, the sharing of ideas and techniques that keeps art alive and evolving. And, for me, it's a reminder that art-making is about embracing uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations, rather than seeking fixed meanings.