Hvor skal jeg finde Døden... 1895 - 1896

Editor: We’re looking at "Hvor skal jeg finde Døden…," a pencil drawing from 1895-1896 by Fritz Syberg. It depicts two women in what seems to be a garden, and the quick sketchwork creates a rather contemplative mood, at least to me. What are your first impressions, especially focusing on Syberg's technique? Curator: Notice the composition’s dependence on line. Syberg’s hatching and cross-hatching aren’t just descriptive; they constitute the very form of the figures and landscape. Look how the varying density of these lines creates depth, suggesting a spatial recession despite the overall flatness of the image. The angularity contrasts with the curvilinear shapes of the vegetation, setting up a visual rhythm across the paper's surface. Do you see how the limited tonal range impacts the drawing? Editor: Yes, the lack of shading definitely flattens the scene, almost like a stage set. The figures appear very two-dimensional. It's interesting how this contrasts with the illusion of depth created by the linework. How intentional do you think this tension is? Curator: Intentionality is inferred through observing the consistency of this approach. The spatial ambiguity forces us to consider the drawing not as a representation of reality, but as a self-contained system of marks. Consider, too, the title. Doesn’t the drawing, in its starkness, amplify that sense of searching, a quest rendered purely through formal means? Editor: That’s a great point. Thinking about it just as a collection of lines and shapes, and how they relate, really changes how I see the piece. Thank you. Curator: Indeed. Focusing on its intrinsic elements allows us a unique, valuable engagement.