Snoet slange 1837

"Snoet slange" (1837) is a pencil drawing by Danish artist Wilhelm Marstrand (1810-1873), currently housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst. Marstrand's work, while known for his detailed and evocative portraits and historical scenes, also included sketch-like drawings like this one. This particular piece is a simple yet intriguing sketch of a snake, its form contorted into a series of spirals, suggestive of movement and life. This quick, gestural style, reminiscent of the artist's notebook studies, provides a glimpse into the artist's thought processes, offering viewers a unique connection to the creative mind. The drawing's delicate lines and subtle shading, rendered on a paper that reveals the artist's hand, contribute to a sense of immediacy and intimacy.