Kopi efter oldkristen mosaik, samt notater 1900

Niels Larsen Stevns made this watercolor and ink study, “Kopi efter oldkristen mosaik, samt notater”, rendering an early Christian mosaic, along with his own observations. While the original mosaic would have been made from laboriously placed tesserae – small pieces of stone, glass, or ceramic – Stevns’s study is swiftly rendered. He’s using the directness of watercolor to capture the essence of the ancient work. The thin washes of pigment allow the paper’s texture to show through, creating a luminous effect, reminiscent of the light playing across the mosaic’s surface. The visible brushstrokes and handwritten notes give us insight into the artist’s thought process. The choice of watercolor, a portable and immediate medium, suggests a desire to quickly document and interpret the mosaic. This reflects a modern sensibility, prioritizing personal expression and direct engagement with the subject matter. Ultimately, Stevns is in dialogue with a much older artistic tradition through the lens of his own time.