Skitseblad med 6 skitser til "Den grimme ælling" 1928

This sketch sheet with six studies for "The Ugly Duckling" was made by Fritz Syberg, sometime between 1862 and 1939, using graphite on paper. Looking at these little vignettes, I imagine Syberg thumbing through the pages of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, pausing, and reaching for his pencil, wondering how to distill these scenes into a single image. I see him experimenting here, playing with composition, light, and mood. Notice how the pencil lines vary in weight and direction, creating a sense of movement. The marks are scrubby and tentative, but confident, and the use of shading creates depth and atmosphere. This work makes me think about artists today who take inspiration from fairy tales, folklore, myths and legends, and how these works can speak to the shared human experience. Syberg and so many others, are in ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity.