Skitser af hunde 1905 - 1907

Editor: So, here we have "Skitser af hunde," or "Sketches of Dogs" by Niels Larsen Stevns, done in pencil on paper between 1905 and 1907. I find the poses so peculiar; the dogs seem so stiff and vulnerable, almost upside down. How do you interpret these quick studies? Curator: What strikes me immediately is the context in which sketches like these are created and then consumed. In the early 20th century, the rise of modern art was often juxtaposed against academic realism. Studies like this were becoming more common to be shared publicly, revealing the artistic process, not just the finished piece. How do you think that shift influenced perceptions of art? Editor: That’s fascinating. I guess it demystifies the artistic process. Suddenly, we see the artist grappling with form and movement. So, it is almost showing art as labor, not just a eureka moment of genius. Curator: Precisely! And who had access to see that labor? Usually a more public audience through exhibition spaces, or even reproduced in books. Think about the impact of increased art education in schools, how it changes public expectations for accessibility in museums and galleries. Did art become more democratic through this? Editor: I never considered that before, but yes, potentially, especially because sketching highlights process over virtuosity, like these somewhat awkward dogs! But I still wonder, how were animals depicted at the time generally, and what does that tell us about Stevns' work? Curator: Good question! At that time, there was a big distinction between using animals as allegories for human virtues or vices, and a pure observation from life. By focusing on the ordinary gestures, the 'raw' study, how could that be seen as challenging to traditional art and society itself? Editor: It makes me appreciate how even simple sketches can carry layers of meaning. I'm viewing them quite differently now! Curator: Absolutely! It’s all about situating the work in its historical moment and understanding the changing role of art in society. We look at images so differently when we understand the politics behind their image.