Skitser af los, odder, vaskebjørn(?) og kænguru(?) 1900 - 1905

Editor: This is "Skitser af los, odder, vaskebjørn(?) og kænguru(?)" by Niels Larsen Stevns, created sometime between 1900 and 1905. It's a drawing on paper, mostly in pencil and coloured pencil. It looks like a page from a sketchbook, filled with animal studies. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a window into Stevns’s world, and the way that European artists were engaging with the animal kingdom at the turn of the century. How were animals used as symbols for empire? What did it mean to see animals in captivity versus in their “natural” environments? Consider the kangaroo—was Stevns working from life at a zoo? And how does that influence our understanding of the image? These sketches highlight the power dynamics inherent in observing and representing animals, touching on themes of colonialism and the objectification of the natural world. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn’t considered the colonial context. So you’re saying that even in these quick sketches, there are political undertones? Curator: Absolutely. Artists don’t exist in a vacuum, and neither do their works. The inclusion of exotic animals, particularly, can reflect the socio-political climate. Think about where these animals come from and who had access to them. It encourages us to ask what narratives are being told – or not told – through their representation. Editor: It makes you think about how we perceive animals even today. It is a reminder of how deeply ingrained these historical power structures can be. Curator: Precisely. And art gives us the opportunity to critically examine these structures and our role in perpetuating or dismantling them. Editor: I never expected a humble sketch to spark such a complex discussion. I am learning to appreciate that there is always more to art than what meets the eye.