Blank 1864 - 1941

Niels Larsen Stevns made this untitled image of an open book, probably in the early 20th century, and I find myself wanting to know what was inside it. What grabs me is the texture—you can practically feel the rough edges of the pages under your fingertips and the slightly mottled surface of the paper. It's like Stevns wants us to experience the physicality of the book. The colour palette is so understated, a symphony of browns and creams, which gives it this really intimate, almost melancholic feel. Look at the way the light catches the edge of the book, highlighting the subtle variations in the paper. It reminds me that artmaking is about embracing chance and imperfection. Just like life, art is full of surprises. When I see this image, I think of Giorgio Morandi, another artist who could make the ordinary seem extraordinary. Ultimately, this work reminds me that art is an ongoing conversation, an exchange of ideas across time.