Konen skreg... 1928

Fritz Syberg made 'Konen skreg...' with pen and ink on paper. The frantic scene is rendered with a network of lines, each quickly and economically applied, which add up to a vivid depiction of domestic stress. Syberg used the most basic of materials: pen, ink, and paper, readily available and relatively inexpensive. This aligns with the subject matter - everyday life of the working classes. He does not appear to have made preparatory sketches, but rather engaged directly with the scene, capturing it in real time. There is a raw urgency to the image, which is echoed by the frantic quality of the line work. The hatching and cross-hatching create volume and shadow. Syberg's choice of materials and technique reinforces the image's immediacy and authenticity, giving us a glimpse into a moment of familial chaos. The result is a powerful social commentary, reflecting the artist's attention to the lives of ordinary people and their struggles.