Plantestudier 1906 - 1910

Niels Larsen Stevns made these plant studies, probably with a pencil, to capture a moment of observation. The wispy, tentative lines suggest he's thinking through form as he goes. I love the way he's left in all the searching and re-adjusting; it's like we're watching his thought process unfold. There's something intimate about seeing these sketches. You can feel the texture of the paper, almost smell the graphite. The lines aren't precious or overworked, just honest and direct. Look how he renders the veins on the leaves with such delicate strokes. It's the kind of mark-making that isn't about perfection, but about feeling and being present with the subject. These studies remind me of Morandi's quiet, meditative still lifes. Both artists found profound beauty in simple, everyday subjects, revealing the depth of seeing through a dedicated process of looking and making. They show us that art isn't just about the final product, but about the journey of exploration and discovery.