Kopi efter oldkristen mosaik, samt notater om farverne 1902 - 1905

Here's a copy after an early Christian mosaic with color notes made by Niels Larsen Stevns. I can imagine Stevns perched somewhere, carefully mixing his watercolors to match the ancient tesserae. The delicate washes create this intricate latticework, a symphony of tiny squares, circles, and floral motifs in earthy reds, blues, and greens. Look closely, and you can see the subtle variations in tone, how he's used the watery paint to capture the play of light on the mosaic's surface. I feel for Stevns; he is clearly trying to distill centuries of artistry into his own study. I'm wondering if, by copying this mosaic, he was trying to channel some of that ancient spirit into his own work? Like a painter-pilgrim, seeking inspiration from the masters who came before. Ultimately, isn't that what we all do as artists, standing on the shoulders of giants, learning from their triumphs and their mistakes? It's all one big conversation, echoing across time.