Kristus i mandorla omgivet af evangelisttegnene, efter en plaqeutte i Nationalmuseet 1831 - 1852

Dankvart Dreyer made this drawing, "Christ in the Mandorla Surrounded by Symbols of the Evangelists, after a Plaquette in the National Museum," using graphite. The composition immediately strikes you with its ordered symmetry. Christ is centrally located within a mandorla, an almond-shaped aureole of light, that dominates the visual field. Around this are symbols of the Evangelists which create a balanced, yet dynamic rhythm. Dreyer's approach to line is delicate and precise. Notice the soft gradations achieved through the graphite, giving volume to the figures and a subtle texture to the drapery. It’s as if Dreyer seeks to capture not just the form but the very essence of divine light and order. The drawing speaks to the enduring power of the symbolic language and its underlying structure to convey deep theological concepts. It prompts us to consider how even in a sketch, the artist can challenge our understanding, and transform a familiar scene into a new space.