"Kobberplader" og "Tinplader" 1833

Peter Larsen Kyhl created "Kobberplader" og "Tinplader," at an unknown date, now held at the SMK. The work presents a page filled with small, geometric patterns, each meticulously rendered. The arrangement is orderly, almost like a sampler or a reference sheet. The contrast between the dark lines and the pale paper creates a stark visual rhythm. The forms, from cross-hatched squares to ornate floral designs, demonstrate Kyhl's formal control and interest in texture and repetition. Each pattern functions as a sign, pointing beyond its mere appearance. These plates might serve as templates, potentially destabilizing the traditional role of art as unique expression, and engage with the democratizing potential of reproducible designs. We see not just images, but also the underlying structure of design itself. This work, while seemingly simple, opens a discourse on the function and meaning of art in a rapidly changing world.