Studier af roser 1930 - 1936

Here we have Niels Larsen Stevns' "Studies of Roses," likely made in the late 19th or early 20th century using graphite on paper. It's more than just a botanical study; it’s a peek into the artist's process. Look closely, and you can see the tentative lines, the searching quality of the marks. It's a dance between observation and expression. I’m drawn to the large rose in the lower half of the page, the way the graphite swirls to create the sense of depth and the velvety texture of the petals. The rose is only lightly shaded, a collection of open curves and spirals, giving it a lively, energetic quality. It reminds me of some of Manet's quick sketches, or even the looser, more improvisational drawings of Cy Twombly. These kinds of drawings suggest that artmaking is an ongoing conversation. It's never really finished. There’s always room for another mark, another idea, another way of seeing.