Nøgne trækroner 1920 - 1924

This line drawing of bare treetops was made by Christian Kongstad Petersen, though the date of creation is unknown. Petersen, like me, sees artmaking as a process, and it's evident in the visible linework throughout this composition. The physicality of the medium is striking, isn't it? The texture is created through precise, repetitive strokes, and the contrast between the stark black ink and the pale paper creates depth. The ink is thin and applied with purpose, creating a sense of rawness. Notice that one particular mark, a blotch of ink, creates a focal point. It almost suggests a bird's nest, disrupting the otherwise intricate pattern of lines. It reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz's etchings, where a similar commitment to exposing the material quality of the line can be found. Art is, after all, an ongoing conversation, and it invites us to embrace ambiguity.