Løse rids 1900 - 1905

This page of loose sketches was made by Niels Larsen Stevns sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It’s a humble notebook drawing, an intimate peek into the artist’s private world. I imagine Stevns in his studio, charcoal in hand, working out ideas, maybe for a larger composition. These aren’t finished drawings but rather, explorations, notations, and first thoughts, searching for forms. The lines are tentative, searching, like he's feeling his way through the darkness, trying to capture something fleeting. There is a real sense of freedom here. Think of other artists who use drawing in this way, like Cy Twombly's scribbled notations, or Philip Guston's rough, cartoonish figures. Artists are always in dialogue with one another, borrowing and riffing on ideas across generations. For me, this sketch embodies the idea that painting is a process of discovery. It’s about embracing the unexpected and finding meaning in the act of creation itself.