Udkast til Poul S. Christiansens gravmæle 1932 - 1935

Niels Larsen Stevns made this pen and ink drawing as a proposal for a gravestone for Poul S. Christiansen. The image shows a figure bent over, possibly tending to the earth or placing something within it. This simple act connects to wider ideas about labor, nature, and memory that were of great interest in Denmark around the turn of the twentieth century. The style is reminiscent of ancient Greek vase painting, and evokes a timeless sense of mourning. Stevns was working at a time when artists sought to create a distinctly Danish art, one that engaged with both international trends and local traditions. Understanding this drawing requires us to consider both the personal history of Poul S. Christiansen, and the public role of memorial art in Danish culture. Resources in the museum archive may shed light on the intended purpose of the work.