Studie af en muldvarp og to fugle 1840

This is Johan Thomas Lundbye's "Study of a Mole and Two Birds", made with pen and ink on paper. Immediately, one is struck by the artist's direct, unfussy approach to rendering these animals. The composition is simple, almost diagrammatic, with the mole positioned above the two birds, each rendered with varying degrees of detail. Lundbye's marks are most dense on the mole, creating a sense of volume through closely hatched lines. This contrasts with the lighter treatment of the birds. We can consider this use of line as a semiotic system, where denser marks signify mass and weight, while sparser lines suggest lightness and airiness. The careful arrangement of these elements invites a reading of natural order but does not conform to traditional notions of realism. Ultimately, Lundbye’s study can be seen not just as a record of observation, but as an exploration into the nature of representation itself. It is a perfect example of how simple lines and forms can communicate complex ideas about the world.