Siddende mandlig model, vendt mod venstre, med hænderne på knæene 1908 - 1912

Edvard Weie made this sketch of a seated male model with graphite on paper; it is now held at the SMK. Weie's work invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the artist-model relationship, a dynamic deeply embedded in the social and institutional history of art. The sketch, likely from the early 20th century in Denmark, reflects the academic tradition of life drawing, a cornerstone of artistic training. But it also hints at the changing attitudes towards the body and representation. The model, posed with hands on his knees, is rendered with a striking economy of line. What does it mean to observe this scene through the lens of social history? We might research the pedagogical methods of the time, or explore the place of the male nude within the broader context of Danish art and culture. By considering these institutional and social contexts, we can gain a richer understanding of the sketch, moving beyond formal analysis to engage with the complex interplay of power, representation, and social norms that shape artistic production.