Jairi Datter 1881

Carl Bloch created this drawing of "Jairi Datter" using an etching technique sometime in the 19th century, now held at the SMK. The monochromatic palette emphasizes tonal contrasts, heightening the drama of the scene. The composition uses a grid-like structure; from the checkered floor receding into the darkness to the linear canopy of the bed. This ordered space is disrupted by the softness of the figure and the undulating drapery. The texture feels rich and varied. Through this etching we can appreciate the artist's capacity to describe volume and shadow through the manipulation of line and texture. The semiotic interplay between the rigidity of the architectural elements and the softness of the human form creates tension. This juxtaposition between the geometric and the organic invites us to reflect on the boundaries between order and chaos, life and death. Consider how the formal qualities of this drawing contribute to its symbolic depth.