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

This sketch by Niels Hansen Jacobsen, created between 1910-1911, is a study for an unbuilt monument dedicated to three Danish polar explorers. The sculpture, currently housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, depicts a dynamic composition of figures seemingly intertwined, perhaps representing the explorers' struggle with the harsh Arctic environment. The rough, textured surface and dramatic forms of the sculpture highlight the artist's interest in exploring the human condition through the lens of heroic narratives. This unfinished work provides valuable insight into Jacobsen’s artistic process and his desire to memorialize Danish heroism in the face of adversity.