Studie af bøgegren 1910

This study of a beech branch was made by Joakim Skovgaard around 1910, and it’s the kind of drawing that makes you want to grab a pencil and start looking around! I can imagine Skovgaard outside somewhere in natural light, or even inside. He's thinking about the structure of these leaves and the way that light falls on them. You know, it must have taken him time and patience to capture all those leaves and their delicate, intricate details. Look closely at the surface – the texture of the paper itself. There are very fine, precise lines, giving the branch form and volume. The leaves closest to us appear darker, more intensely rendered. The overall impression is of great sensitivity and control. There’s a long tradition of artists studying nature, and this drawing really speaks to that. It's as though Skovgaard is in conversation with all the artists who’ve tried to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world, each inspiring the next.