Udkast til "Den barmhjertige Samaritaner" 1937 - 1938

Niels Larsen Stevns made this graphite drawing, Udkast til "Den barmhjertige Samaritaner," on paper. It’s all tentative, nothing set in stone. It's a sketch, an under-drawing of what might become the final painting. I love seeing how artists work out their ideas, you know? Here, the lines are delicate, searching. You can almost feel Stevns figuring out the composition. What parts of the story to include. Where to place the Samaritan? How to show the emotions on their faces? The gestures are quick, light. They suggest movement, a sense of urgency. I can imagine him stepping back, squinting, then leaning in again. Artists are always in dialogue with what came before, and this drawing reminds me of other artists who also explored themes of compassion and human connection, like Delacroix or Kollwitz. It’s like they're all part of this big conversation, inspiring each other across time. It’s great to be reminded of all these great links.