Svane og hoveder af svaner 1911

J.A. Jerichau (II) made this drawing of swans and swan heads on paper, but we don't know exactly when. The graphite dances across the surface, capturing the essence of these birds in a way that feels both immediate and timeless. Look at the swan in the center, curled up. See how the lines suggest the soft texture of its feathers, almost like a cozy blanket. The artist really seems to relish the act of drawing. The weight of the lines and the way they flow give life to the image. It reminds me of those quick sketches artists like Degas would do, capturing movement and form with incredible economy. There's a humility to this piece that's really appealing, a sense of the artist just trying to figure something out, to see the world a little clearer. It’s in these quiet, unassuming works that we often find the most profound connections to the artist's sensibility and process.