Bakket hedelandskab med to ræve 1817 - 1890

Editor: Here we have "Bakket hedelandskab med to ræve", or "Hilly heath landscape with two foxes," made between 1817 and 1890 by Eleonore Christine Tscherning, crafted with pencil in a drawing style. It evokes a somber quietude, perhaps because of the limited use of tonal variation in the pencilwork. What draws your attention to this particular work? Curator: What interests me is the artist’s labor, the repetitive and minute movements required to build up this image with just pencil. The seemingly endless plains, rendered only with simple materials like pencil and paper, speak to a societal perspective valuing observation of landscape in contrast to more classical idealized art forms. Do you think that elevates what some might consider ‘craft’ to a high art form? Editor: That’s an interesting point! It is just pencil and paper, and the dedication to creating the subtle undulations of the landscape, particularly the grass and foxes, demonstrates artistic skill. It feels very ‘real,’ doesn’t it? But would this image change meaning, and therefore consumption, if the medium shifted? Curator: Exactly! The deliberate choice of pencil also restricts accessibility, which speaks to social context. This medium could potentially be a commentary on artistic commodification, creating exclusive viewership tied to economic realities of art during the 19th century. I find the intersection of the materials, the process, and its place within society rather fascinating. What have you gleaned from our conversation? Editor: I never considered the societal perspective on materiality or artistic labor! Thinking about Tscherning’s choice in this drawing, considering that, gives "Bakket hedelandskab med to ræve" greater depth. Thank you for your insights.