Sovende barn, Georgia 1897

Curator: What a wonderfully intimate scene! We’re looking at “Sovende barn, Georgia” (“Sleeping Child, Georgia”), a pencil drawing on paper created in 1897 by Joakim Skovgaard. It is part of the collection at the SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. Editor: There’s a hushed quality to it. It makes me want to whisper. You know that feeling of looking at something so serene that you're afraid to break the spell? Curator: Absolutely. And, if we look closely, we can see how the materiality of the work contributes to this effect. Skovgaard's deliberate choice of pencil and paper renders a quiet atmosphere through the build up of delicate mark-making, indicative of the slower and deliberate method of drawing. Editor: Yes, exactly! It is precisely that intimacy, almost tactile quality in those strokes. The rough texture contrasts well with the softness in their faces. It is really endearing. It also adds to the overall mood of this image...a simple study in texture creating an effect beyond words. Curator: Skovgaard clearly prioritised the observational study of form. Note the layering and cross-hatching; that contributes a great deal. How interesting that a scene seemingly so intimate, domestic, would hinge on the exploitation of a particular technique... one so deeply linked with materiality and method. Editor: You know, it makes me think about how artists use simple materials like pencil and paper to create something profoundly moving. The focus is so very concentrated on those soft, simple strokes, with the material making it seem more personal than the artwork. What's your final thought on it? Curator: I am left contemplating the way Skovgaard transformed humble materials into a poignant portrait of familial connection.