Studie af N.F.S Grundtvig efter Vilh. Bissens kopi (1909) af H.W. Bissens buste (1847). Kopien på Frederiksborg 1930 - 1938

Niels Larsen Stevns sketched this study of N.F.S. Grundtvig in 1909, after a copy of a bust, probably using pen or pencil on paper. I’m drawn to the raw, immediate quality of this sketch. It feels like a fleeting thought, captured quickly. The lines are sparse, almost hesitant, yet they manage to convey the essence of the bust. You can almost feel the artist circling the subject, trying to understand it through touch and sight. Look closely at the way Stevns uses hatching to create shadow and volume. See how he builds up the form of Grundtvig’s face with these tiny, repetitive marks? It's a dance between observation and invention, where the artist's hand becomes a tool for exploring the world. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the drawing, adding a layer of depth and history. This reminds me of sketches by Käthe Kollwitz. Both artists use line in such an expressive way, turning a simple study into a powerful statement. Art is just an ongoing conversation, isn't it? Always referencing, always building on what came before. It's a process of discovery, where the artist invites us to join them in their search for meaning.