Bananmand 1897 - 1949

Curator: Welcome. We are looking at a pen drawing called "Bananmand", created some time between 1897 and 1949 by the Danish artist Robert Storm Petersen. It resides here at the SMK, the Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: The most striking thing is its playful simplicity. Just a few bold, confident lines, yet it conveys so much character. There’s a real expressive energy in this figure. Curator: Petersen was indeed known for his humour and satirical commentary. Much of his work reflects the everyday life and culture of Copenhagen during that period. One must ask: how did his social circumstances inform this character? Editor: Look at the details: the almost absurdly thin neck, the slightly crossed eyes. The high collar, meticulously rendered, sharply contrasts with the looseness of the coat. It’s a caricature, but with warmth, I think. Curator: Precisely. Petersen’s cartoons often highlighted the foibles and eccentricities of ordinary people. And one cannot ignore the time in which he was making art, the world wars loom large here; these artistic practices represent cultural relief. Editor: Yes, there’s something very immediate and present about the linework. You can almost see the artist's hand moving across the paper; the deliberate choice of medium helps deliver his desired aesthetic. Curator: These images provided a source of comfort and comic relief amidst serious historical change, finding humor even in times of societal hardship. The artist helped shape and reflect Danish culture. Editor: This small drawing feels like a testament to the power of simple lines to capture a character and an era. So playful, yet it speaks volumes about its historical context. Curator: It’s more than just a sketch. It’s a social artifact, a tiny mirror reflecting a slice of Copenhagen’s past, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: I completely agree; one is taken by its form, but equally seduced by what it communicates from then until now.