Træstudier 1840s

Dankvart Dreyer made this subtle drawing, "Tree Studies" with pen and brown ink, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The composition divides into two studies of tree trunks, observed in a landscape. The drawing presents a study in structure, the lines creating a complex network that defines the organic forms of the trees. Dreyer plays with positive and negative space, the brown ink delicately contrasting against the white of the paper. Look at how the lines vary in thickness and density, adding depth and texture to the trunks and branches. The drawing's subdued palette focuses our attention on the formal elements: line, shape, and composition. There’s a sense of careful observation, yet also an awareness of the drawing's surface. Dreyer’s “Tree Studies” invites us to consider how a seemingly simple subject can reveal complex formal relationships and convey a rich sense of place.