Blank 1864 - 1941

This is a photograph of a blank page in a book by Niels Larsen Stevns, from around the turn of the twentieth century in Denmark. At first glance, it may not seem like much, but consider the power and potential held within this emptiness. Stevns was deeply involved in the Danish Arts and Crafts movement, which, like its British counterpart, sought to elevate the status of craft and design in response to industrialization. Museums like SMK, where this photograph resides, played a role in defining and legitimizing artistic movements. Was Stevns, by presenting a blank page, critiquing the very institutions that sought to define art? Or was he suggesting the viewer must complete the work? Further research into Stevns' involvement with various artistic circles, as well as a deeper understanding of the Arts and Crafts movement in Denmark, will help us to understand the context and significance of this piece. Ultimately, this "blank" photograph encourages us to consider the institutional framing that shapes our understanding of art.