Om "Kampen, "Sejren" og "de Udvalgte", samt om ensomhed 1913

Curator: Let’s consider J.A. Jerichau’s work from 1913, "Om “Kampen, “Sejren” og “de Udvalgte”, samt om ensomhed" or roughly translated, “About 'the struggle,' 'the victory,' and 'the elect,' as well as about loneliness.” Editor: It looks like a page torn from a notebook, filled with frantic scribbles, it gives the sense of capturing a very immediate stream of consciousness. There is almost no image, just an ocean of words on paper, with no room for error. Curator: Precisely, the piece consists of ink and pencil drawings on paper. For me, its importance lies in understanding Jerichau’s position within the artistic and intellectual circles of his time and how his struggles with identity and isolation manifested in such raw, unfiltered expression. We might consider his grappling with concepts like struggle and victory against the backdrop of early 20th-century socio-political upheaval, or even personal struggles with religious and moral ambiguities. Editor: While context is important, what captures my attention are the patterns formed by the handwritten lines themselves. Look at how the dense script fills every available space, creating texture and a sense of confinement. The pencil strokes differ slightly from the ink; this creates both rhythm and an element of hierarchy within the work. Curator: That textural density speaks to the weight of his thoughts. And it invites us to contemplate who "the elect" were for Jerichau—did it relate to his peers, perhaps members of his artistic community, or maybe even religious or political elites? This is indicative of broader social anxieties. Editor: And speaking to technique, that one almost scribbled out, black circle interrupts an otherwise even, if busy, flow to give a powerful focal point. The lack of deliberate, "artistic" choices heightens the directness of its message. This page serves as a microcosm of an inner mental space, reflecting anxieties we may all recognize and sympathize with today. Curator: I concur completely. It resonates across the ages and cultures. Editor: This quick dive certainly gave me food for thought, thanks!