Sketch for unperformed monument to three Danish Polar Explorers 1910 - 1911

This bronze sketch for an unperformed monument to three Danish Polar Explorers was made by Niels Hansen Jacobsen. It’s like a frozen moment of struggle, isn’t it? You can feel Jacobsen’s hand in the clay, the way he’s built up the forms with rough, urgent gestures. The surface is uneven, almost turbulent, mirroring the harshness of the Arctic landscape and the explorers' ordeal. The colour is muted, like cold stone or weathered metal, adding to the sense of solemnity and endurance. Look closely at the way the figures are intertwined; it’s hard to distinguish where one body ends and another begins. This merging of forms speaks to the shared fate of the explorers, their interconnectedness in the face of adversity. It reminds me a little bit of Rodin, but with a rawer, more visceral quality. Both artists let the process dictate the final form. It’s a powerful piece, a testament to human resilience and the enduring power of art to evoke empathy and understanding.