Du er inderlig styg... 1928

This drawing was made by Fritz Syberg and it shows a tranquil waterside scene. I can imagine him outdoors, sketchbook in hand, quickly capturing the light reflecting off the water's surface. The thicket of reeds, the still water, the ducks gliding along... Syberg translates the scene into a mesh of lines, each stroke carefully considered, capturing the play of light and shadow. I’m guessing Syberg was immersed in the act of seeing and feeling. The brisk energy of the marks feels spontaneous, as though made in a single breath. Think of other drawings made en plein air by artists like Van Gogh or Hockney. Syberg seems to be saying that even the simplest of scenes contain a whole world of feeling. It’s like he’s whispering, "Hey, look closely, there’s beauty here, even in the ordinary."