Søjle og bue fra S. Stefano, Bologna 1896

This is a sketch of Søjle og bue fra S. Stefano in Bologna by Niels Larsen Stevns. Captured in simple pencil lines, the artwork presents a foundational architectural structure. Stevns' focus isn't on ornamentation, but on the bare geometric relationships between the columns and arches. The drawing has very little shading, and the perspective is flattened. Stevns reduces the architectural form to its most basic components. This minimalistic approach invites us to consider the underlying principles of construction and space. There's a structuralist engagement here, stripping away surface details to reveal an underlying organizational logic. By emphasizing these elements, Stevns hints at the potential for architecture to be more than just a physical space, it becomes a constructed language. This language communicates power, order, and even the spiritual aspirations of those who built these spaces.