Kristus og Nikodemus 1919

Joakim Skovgaard made this pen and ink drawing, Kristus og Nikodemus, in 1919, and you can see it here at the SMK. I can imagine Skovgaard, in his studio, working with delicate strokes, hatching and cross-hatching to create the scene. There's such a sensitivity in the lines, especially around the faces and drapery. I like to think about the intimacy of that, Skovgaard alone in his studio thinking about what he wants to say about these two figures in conversation. Look at the way he captures the texture of their robes, and the heavy shadow of the background. It reminds me of some of those Northern Renaissance guys, like Dürer, with their attention to detail and dramatic lighting. Except here, it's distilled down to something much more immediate and personal, it’s a humble drawing. It really shows how artists are in an ongoing dialogue, borrowing from each other across time. I think the art making process can allow for ambiguity and uncertainty, leaving room for multiple stories and interpretations.