Men listening at a concert 1887

This drawing was made in 1887 in Copenhagen by Peder Severin Krøyer, using graphite pencil on paper. Now, graphite and paper are very simple materials, but here Krøyer uses them to great effect. The soft, almost smoky quality of the graphite allows him to suggest the atmosphere of a concert hall. Look how the marks are denser in the foreground, giving weight and presence to the figures closest to us, and then become lighter and more fleeting as they recede into the distance. The focus on the audience at a concert, rather than the performers, is intriguing. Krøyer’s light touch captures the collective experience of listening, while also hinting at the social status of these well-dressed, cigar-smoking men. The drawing suggests a shared cultural moment, and also a shared social position. Ultimately, Krøyer’s choice of simple materials and techniques allows him to convey a complex interplay of social dynamics. It’s a reminder that even the most modest of materials can be used to create powerful and evocative art.