Thorvaldsen modellerer "Natten" 1899 - 1902

This drawing, "Thorvaldsen modellerer "Natten"", was created by Poul S. Christiansen around the late 19th to early 20th century. Executed with delicate lines, the composition captures the artist Thorvaldsen in a moment of creation. The sketch emphasizes structure over detail. Notice how the composition is built upon a series of intersecting lines, framing Thorvaldsen and his sculpture within a geometric space. The artist's posture and the positioning of his tools suggest an intimate, almost private, creative process. The inclusion of a cat adds a domestic element, softening the rigid structure of the composition. The drawing employs what we may call a semiotic system. The lines, though minimal, function as signs, hinting at form and volume. This minimalist approach challenges traditional representational values, focusing instead on the essential elements that define space and form. The sketch then invites us to consider the relationship between artist, artwork, and viewer, highlighting the act of creation itself.