Fader hæger moders grav 1900

Poul S. Christiansen made this pencil drawing titled "Father Tending Mother's Grave" in August of 1920. The image depicts a man hunched over, carefully tending to a gravesite. The cross in the background and the intimate care being given, signify this as a place of mourning. Made in Denmark, this sketch reflects a culture deeply rooted in family and memory. The act of tending a grave becomes a powerful symbol of love and respect. Christiansen's choice of a humble pencil drawing, rather than a grand painting, speaks to the quiet, personal nature of grief. Was this a commissioned piece, or a personal expression of grief? The social conditions of the time – the aftermath of World War I – may have heightened feelings of loss and the importance of remembering loved ones. Understanding this work fully requires further investigation into Danish burial traditions, the artist's biography, and the cultural context of post-war Denmark. Through historical research, we can better appreciate the layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple image.