Figurstudie 1864 - 1941

This is a sketch of a figure by Niels Larsen Stevns, made with graphite on paper. The lines are tentative, searching, not at all overworked. The paper is quite thin, with a slight texture that catches the graphite. Stevns probably used a relatively soft pencil to achieve the dark tones we see in the figure's clothing. Notice the diagonal hatching - a quick, efficient way to model form and suggest shadow. The very ease of graphite, its accessibility, allowed Stevns to capture a fleeting impression. Sketching has always been a way for artists to work through ideas, to prepare for larger works, and graphite is the perfect medium for that purpose. It’s immediate, erasable, and inexpensive, everything you need for a quick study. Ultimately, by paying attention to the materials and the way in which they’re handled, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artist's intentions. This sketch gives us insight into Stevns’s process, and a glimpse of the artist's hand.