Blank 1937 - 1938

This is a blank page from a sketchbook by Niels Larsen Stevns. And, you know, sometimes an empty page is the most exciting thing of all. I love the subtle, almost ghostly lines. They're so faint, it's like the page is barely there. It makes me think about the potential held within a blank surface. You can almost feel the artist hovering, considering what to put down, what to leave out. I keep coming back to the deckled edge, that rough, imperfect line that grounds the whole thing. It reminds us this is an object, a thing in the world, not just a portal to some other place. The physical texture of the paper feels so important. You can imagine running your fingers over it, feeling the slight give of the page. It’s like an Agnes Martin, but stripped back to its bare bones. It's an invitation, a dare, a question mark. What happens next? It's up to you, or me, or the next artist who picks up the pen.