Studier af en rotte og to frøer 1896

Niels Larsen Stevns made this study of a rat and two frogs with graphite on paper. The artist is working in a very traditional medium, albeit towards an unusual end; not a finished composition, but a study of animal forms. The material itself influences the appearance of the drawing. Graphite is a soft mineral, so it can produce a wide range of tones and textures depending on how much pressure is applied to the paper. In this case, Stevns used it very lightly to create delicate outlines of the animals, capturing their movement and anatomy with just a few lines. The way Stevns has chosen to represent his subject has cultural significance, too. While drawings were often preparatory sketches, they were also prized as works of art in their own right during the 19th century. By embracing drawing, Stevns implies that even the simplest of materials and processes can be elevated to the level of fine art.