Kompositionsstudie med bl.a. to svævende engle 1913 - 1914

Curator: We're looking at "Kompositionsstudie med bl.a. to svævende engle" by J.A. Jerichau (II), dating from 1913 to 1914. It’s currently held at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, rendered in watercolor. Editor: It feels unfinished, almost dreamlike. The watercolor gives it a very ethereal, weightless quality, and the colors are muted, like a faded memory. There's definitely a sense of longing embedded in it. Curator: The composition is striking. We see a clear use of abstract forms coalescing around the central theme of figuration, though the artist employs an expressionistic touch that verges into abstraction, effectively challenging representational conventions of the time. The strokes carry the work, pushing this to the limits. Editor: Yes, and I think situating this within the socio-political landscape of the early 20th century provides crucial context. Expressionism emerged from widespread unease – a rejection of tradition, the rumblings of war, and a search for deeper spiritual meaning amidst societal upheaval. One could argue it is more of a symptom of angst than anything else. Curator: Absolutely. One cannot divorce artistic creation from historical contexts; they profoundly influence its creation and reception. Do you find that it creates an emotional reaction for you? Editor: Definitely. Beyond its formal qualities, I am intrigued with its accessibility, but I also believe Jerichau intended it to spark critical reflection on established social norms. How art is framed and valued, it speaks to the powerful gatekeepers that are at play in the history of taste and the formation of cultural values. This could only be seen at a place like SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst. Curator: So, a successful piece, perhaps, given the weight of influence in those respects? Editor: Yes. What first appears to be just some loose watercolor studies is in fact a document with some cultural significance from this time. I will look at watercolors the same going forward.