Salys rytterstatue af Frederik V 1923

This is Axel Hou's print of "Salys rytterstatue af Frederik V" over at the SMK. Look at the sheer amount of effort involved in the creation of this image. It's an etching. Can you imagine the focus and labor that went into building up the blacks and grays, all from tiny, precise marks? I feel for the artist. They're documenting a monument of power, but in such a painstaking way. The image shimmers with detail. The cross-hatching and tight lines create a rich texture that pulls you in close. I think of Goya's prints or even some of Piranesi's architectural fantasies. This is not just documentation; it’s interpretation. The artist is grappling with history, representation, and their own craft. The statue itself seems so solid, but the etching gives it an almost dreamlike quality. It’s like Hou is saying, "I'm here, adding my mark to this ongoing story." It makes you wonder who else will come along and add their own layer to it all.