En kirke 1881

Niels Larsen Stevns made this church sketch with pencil on paper and is held at the SMK. Stevns lived through a time of immense social change as industrialization and urbanization swept across Europe, challenging traditional ways of life. This sketch captures a moment of reflection on community and identity. The church, traditionally a symbol of stability and shared values, is rendered here with a sense of longing. Stevns presents us with a scene that is both familiar and distant, echoing the societal shifts he witnessed. Consider the role of religion in shaping communities and personal identities during Stevns’ lifetime. Does the sketch affirm traditional values, or does it reflect a growing sense of uncertainty and change? In a rapidly evolving world, Stevns seems to use the church as a focal point to explore themes of belonging, tradition, and the search for meaning.