Studier af påskeliljer med artsangivelser 1919

This is a study of daffodils by Niels Larsen Stevns, sketched with ink on paper. Note the linear precision used to capture the floral specimens. The composition juxtaposes two distinct daffodil forms: one, a complex, multi-layered bloom, rendered with dense cross-hatching to convey depth and texture; the other, a more solitary blossom, depicted with graceful, sparse outlines. The artist's approach to line is particularly striking. Each stroke is deliberate, creating a semiotic contrast between the dense intricacy of the ‘dobbell’ and the delicate simplicity of the ‘påskelilje enkelt.’ The structure of each flower is meticulously examined, suggesting an interest in the underlying botanical architecture. Larsen Stevns challenges our perception of natural forms by rendering them as studies, in the form of fragmented notations. The interplay between line and form compels us to see the daffodils not just as representations but as abstract arrangements, inviting us to consider the deeper structures that govern natural beauty.