Udkast til "Kristus velsigner de små børn". Notat 1937 - 1938

This sketch, "Draft for 'Christ Blessing the Little Children'," was created by Niels Larsen Stevns, part of a generation grappling with faith and modernity. Born in 1864, Stevns lived through a period of immense social change, including the rise of industrialization and evolving religious thought. The sketch offers insight into Stevns's process as he prepared to depict a classic biblical scene. Note how he considers the composition, light, and the arrangement of figures. His notes, scribbled alongside the sketch, reveal his careful considerations about the visual and emotional impact of the final painting. In an era where traditional religious beliefs were being questioned, Stevns sought to find new meaning in old stories. He imbues the sketch with an intimacy and warmth, reflecting a personal connection to the figures he portrays. It invites us to reflect on the enduring power of faith, re-imagined in a changing world.