Studier af bygninger. Notater 1930 - 1936

This is an architectural sketch by Niels Larsen Stevns, made with pencil on paper. The quick, thin lines suggest the artist was trying to capture a fleeting impression of buildings, likely made *en plein air*. Pencil is such an accessible material, allowing for immediacy and portability – crucial for artists working outside the studio. The visible lines are the result of applying graphite, a crystalline form of carbon, to the paper surface. The pressure and angle of the pencil, combined with the paper's texture, determine the darkness and width of the lines. These lines aren't just about recording visual information. The sketch also contains written notes, presumably serving as reminders or annotations. As with any drawing, there’s a lot of hand work here, which invites us to consider the artist’s labor, and the social context in which art like this comes into being. By focusing on the act of sketching and the materials involved, we can better appreciate the artist's process. The apparent simplicity of pencil and paper belies the rich history and cultural significance embedded within the medium.