Tidstavle over H.C. Andersens liv 1866-1844 1930 - 1938

Niels Larsen Stevns made this page in a book, this "Tidstavle over H.C. Andersens liv 1866-1844," with pen on paper. It’s a kind of drawing with words. It is a process, a layering of thoughts and annotations. The texture of the paper, its warm tone, gives the writing a physical presence, like skin. The ink bleeds slightly, like it’s been absorbed into the page. The handwriting is dense and a bit hard to decipher, but each stroke of the pen feels deliberate, like a careful dance across the surface. Notice the loops and flourishes, the way the lines thicken and thin – it’s a very sensual record of time. Looking at it, I am reminded of Cy Twombly’s works, those scribbled, palimpsest-like paintings where writing becomes image, and image becomes writing. Both artists embrace the beauty of imperfection, the messiness of thought made visible. Art is an ongoing conversation, a game of telephone across centuries, and this piece is a testament to that shared, ever-evolving language.