Studieblad fra Vognserup. Foroven studier af køer, i midten 4 studier af malkepiger set fra ryggen 1844

This is a study sheet from Vognserup by Johan Thomas Lundbye. It's made with pen and brown ink, over a preliminary drawing in graphite, on paper. The rapid application of the ink allowed Lundbye to quickly capture the fleeting forms of cows and milkmaids. You can see a range of techniques here, from delicate hatching to bolder outlines. This gives the figures a sense of volume and presence, despite the economy of line. The artist uses the contrasting colors of brown ink and graphite to provide shading. The paper itself also contributes to the artwork's overall appearance, its surface texture subtly influencing the way the ink sits, and the soft grey-blue hue providing a muted backdrop that enhances the warmth of the ink. The drawing has a social context too. By drawing the milkmaids from behind, Lundbye is showing their labor. These were the realities of the Danish landscape in the 1800s. Appreciating the way it was made, and its wider context, helps us to understand it more deeply.