Stående kvindelig model vendt mod venstre med armene hævet over hovedet. 1910

Curator: Standing before us is a work from 1910 by Othon Friesz. The piece, residing here at the SMK, is a pastel and drawing titled, “Stående kvindelig model vendt mod venstre med armene hævet over hovedet,” or “Standing female model facing left with arms raised above her head." Editor: The pose certainly projects a sense of dynamic energy, though there's also an intriguing awkwardness to her posture. I wonder, what are the emotional resonances you perceive in this composition? Curator: What strikes me most is the raw quality of the line itself. Note the thick, almost crude, strokes used to define the figure's contours. These assertive lines construct volume, creating a tension between representation and abstraction that defines its Expressionist character. It's as if the artist seeks not just to depict, but to evoke an emotional response. Editor: Indeed, the exaggerated lines remind me of archaic gestures found in ancient depictions of goddesses and mythical female figures; arms upraised were synonymous with supplication, invocation, or mourning. Is it plausible that Friesz was tapping into these visual memory devices to evoke specific emotional and historical associations? Curator: It's fascinating to contemplate. What one can note, without ascribing direct intentionality, is the flattening of form, pushing this image away from pure naturalism. And in that way, like the symbol, it allows for deeper interpretive play. Editor: Right, this is a very interesting visual paradox. By emphasizing linearity and exaggerating form, Friesz distills something essential about human vitality – making her appear both familiar and profoundly ancient. It resonates, it vibrates. Curator: Absolutely. Considering these combined elements, what seemed at first like an impulsive sketch reveals a depth of deliberate technique. Editor: A potent blend, truly. Bringing the abstract power of form together with evocative cultural gestures is remarkable. Curator: It adds yet another layer of appreciation to this deceptively simple drawing. Editor: It does. I appreciate how close looking unveils further complexities to a work like this.