Creek with Trees 1921

Editor: This is Birger Sandzén’s "Creek with Trees," created in 1921. It's a print, an etching really, full of densely worked lines. It's got this moody, almost restless feeling... Like a memory being scratched onto a surface. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Oh, that scratching—you’ve hit on something vital there! It makes me think of how Sandzén, though he painted prolifically, was also deeply devoted to printmaking. These lines aren't just descriptive; they're visceral. Look at how the sky churns. Do you see how the strokes almost vibrate against the solidity of the trees? It’s a landscape, sure, but one brimming with a wild, internal energy. It’s almost a psychological portrait, don’t you think? Editor: A psychological portrait… that's an interesting way to put it. So, it’s not just about depicting nature but about conveying a feeling, an inner state? Curator: Exactly! It’s the difference between just seeing a tree and feeling the wind in its branches, or the earth clinging to its roots. The stark black and white adds to that feeling. Sandzén reduces the landscape to its essence, a dialogue between darkness and light, solidity and ephemerality. Tell me, does that change your initial reading of “restlessness”? Editor: It does. I was just thinking about how much is conveyed with so little color. It's really a masterclass in economy! I came in thinking this was just a straightforward landscape. Curator: Aha! And now you leave considering the soul of the landscape. That’s the best kind of journey, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Definitely. Now, I'm thinking about what other stories the landscape can hold.