Skitse af A. Saabyes statue af H.C. Andersen 1881

Niels Larsen Stevns created this sketch of A. Saabye’s statue of H.C. Andersen using graphite on paper. The composition immediately presents a study in contrasts between form and void. The ochre field of the paper acts as a warm, enveloping space from which the statue emerges, rendered with spare, tentative lines. The artist's formal approach invites a semiotic reading. The light strokes suggest a sense of transience and becoming, typical of sketches. The statue itself, a representation of Andersen, is fragmented and not yet fully realized. This echoes the artist’s interest in portraying not the concrete reality but rather the conceptual essence of the subject. Stevns’ use of line is also notable, varying in pressure and direction, creating a sense of depth despite the sketch's flatness. Ultimately, this sketch functions as more than just a preparatory study. It's an exploration of form, representation, and the very process of artistic creation, inviting us to consider the shifting interplay between idea and execution.