Hans Tavsen 1779 - 1781

Curator: This etching, made by J.F. Clemens between 1779 and 1781, is a portrait of Hans Tavsen, a key figure in the Danish Reformation. The work, currently held at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, immediately brings to mind... well, what jumps out at you? Editor: Stone. Seriously. A stone stele, kind of…severe? Is it meant to be austere, this depiction of Tavsen? There’s this odd blankness around it that makes it feel like it is floating. Curator: Floating is an interesting way to put it. Perhaps the starkness emphasizes the importance of Tavsen's legacy, the enduring nature of his reforms, the solidity of scripture, literally, resting upon a solid foundation. See how the book anchors it all? It’s almost monumental. Editor: Yes, I notice the book is prominently placed; It feels like it might fall over at any moment, propped up as it is, giving a precariousness to his message. And while a stone monument would be a symbol of enduring strength, doesn't it all feel slightly...funereal? Curator: Perhaps, but a funerary monument isn’t only about loss; it's also a statement about remembrance, the ongoing presence of the deceased in cultural memory. Consider the open book: knowledge, wisdom, ideas liberated. Hans Tavsen was influential in translating the Bible into Danish, thus his teachings have become accessible and widely known. It is meant to feel grounded in legacy. Editor: I can see that reading. Still, I feel something unsettling in the air...or rather, in the negative space. All that…emptiness...it leaves too much room to think! But the border has an architectural ornamentation, giving the piece a grounded sense of belonging within an institution. Curator: Precisely. The border reaffirms that this is more than just a somber depiction. It's framed within an established tradition, almost as an important symbol. Editor: The engraving work is meticulous and delicate, however the image for me conveys a much weightier importance. Curator: And therein lies the beauty, doesn't it? It asks us to consider legacy and faith, how we memorialize figures that change our world. Editor: Yes, indeed. A thoughtful—if somewhat haunting—piece.