Fiskeskitser 1905 - 1907

This graphite drawing on paper, Fiskeskitser, was made by Niels Larsen Stevns sometime between 1864 and 1941. The page is from a sketchbook. Look at all those layered marks, those scribbled lines. I can picture him, quickly trying to capture the essence of these slippery creatures. Have you ever tried to draw a fish? It's harder than it looks! You have to be quick. I bet Stevns was thinking about the movement of the fish, the way the light hits its scales, as he sketched. The lines are so energetic, like he's trying to keep up with the fish as it swims or flops around. I wonder if the rapidness of the marks helped him understand the true nature of a fish better. This reminds me of other artists who sketch from life. It's like they're trying to understand the world through their hands. Each stroke tells a story, capturing a fleeting moment in time. It's a conversation, an exchange of ideas across time, inspiring creativity and multiple readings.