Visit hos hendes nåde 1860 - 1873

Wilhelm Marstrand created this sketch, "Visit hos hendes nåde," using pen and grey ink on paper. The process of sketching is an interesting choice here; it's quick, immediate, and often used for preparatory work. The visible strokes and shading reveal the hand of the artist, with the thin ink allowing Marstrand to achieve fine detail and subtle tonal variations, particularly in the rendering of fabrics and faces. Look at the expressive lines that define the figures and the soft, diffused shading that suggests form and volume. The sketch aesthetic lends a casual air to the scene. The medium itself suggests a moment captured on the fly, rather than a grand, labored composition. In this context, it reflects the burgeoning middle class and their interest in scenes from everyday life. Sketching gains prominence as both a means of artistic study and a form of personal expression, aligning with broader social shifts towards individualism and the celebration of the everyday.