Studier af blomster med ats- og farveangivelser 1919

Niels Larsen Stevns made this study of flowers with pen and ink on paper. It's so intimate; a glimpse into an artist's process, a moment of observation captured on the page. The stark contrast of the black ink against the neutral paper creates a graphic quality. Look at the confident strokes that define the petals, the way the lines vary in thickness, suggesting shadow and form. It’s like a dance between the eye, the hand, and the flower itself, a direct translation of seeing into mark-making. The texture of the paper, though subtle, adds another layer to the experience, giving the ink something to grab onto, to bleed into. Consider the horizontal line connecting the two main blooms; a visual anchor that guides our eye across the composition. It’s a simple gesture, but it speaks volumes about Stevns’ understanding of balance and composition. There is a kinship here with Van Gogh’s botanical drawings, where line is also used to such expressive effect, or perhaps with the work of contemporary artists like Laura Owens, who also employ process as a conscious part of their artmaking. For me, this piece embodies the simple joy of looking and recording, of finding beauty in the everyday.