Studier af får 1864 - 1941

Editor: This is "Studies of Sheep" by Niels Larsen Stevns, probably done sometime between 1864 and 1941, using pencil and maybe some coloured pencil on paper. It reminds me a little of doodles in a notebook. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, what immediately strikes me is the almost tender depiction of these animals. We need to think about the cultural context. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a period of intense social and agricultural change. These studies could represent more than just pastoral scenes; they might reflect the anxieties around rural life. Editor: Anxieties? How so? Curator: Consider the social dynamics of the time. Industrialization was pulling people away from farms. These images could be Stevns's way of preserving or even idealizing a way of life that was rapidly disappearing. How does that affect your perception? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't considered that. It makes the casualness of the sketches seem a little… charged, like he’s trying to hold onto something. But isn't it just farm animals? Curator: The symbolism of sheep can also be potent. Think of them as representing the collective, or even blind obedience. Is Stevns commenting on social conformity, perhaps? These sketches open up a lot of questions about identity and belonging, wouldn't you say? Editor: Definitely something to consider. I see them differently now. I guess seemingly simple images can hold complex meanings. Curator: Precisely. Art can be a powerful tool for examining our relationships with nature, labour, and each other. Hopefully listeners will now question initial views of everyday settings.