Tidligt udkast til Valdemar Sejr og den unge Valdemars død ved et vådeskud 1928

Editor: This is Agnes Slott-Møller's 1928 work, "Early Draft for Valdemar Sejr and the Young Valdemar's Death by Accidental Shot," rendered in watercolor and colored pencil. I am struck by its delicate handling and illustrative quality. What do you make of this drawing? Curator: What immediately grabs my attention is how the artist has combined traditional historical subject matter with what appears to be the techniques associated with children's book illustration. Consider the use of colored pencil to create the subtle gradations in color across the king's robe. Where does this image truly sit in the hierarchy of art making and its consumption? Editor: That's a very insightful observation. The use of such accessible materials contrasts with the serious, historical subject matter. It feels deliberately subversive, challenging traditional notions of grand historical painting. Do you think this tension was intentional? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the labor involved in creating this image versus, say, an oil painting. The choice of watercolor and colored pencil signals a different kind of artistic engagement, one that democratizes the artistic process. But I also question how the choice of a craft medium reflects on women’s roles in Denmark at the time. Editor: I see your point! Highlighting the domestic sphere perhaps and pushing against these assumptions is definitely the message. I initially interpreted it simply as stylistic, but thinking about the means of production brings an added layer of significance. Curator: Precisely! It demonstrates how an artist can make critical social statements about art itself and access to the field through material choices. Editor: That's a fascinating way to approach the work; thank you for broadening my perspective. Curator: My pleasure, it has me thinking of materiality in Agnes’ broader production, too.