Skitser af får. Notater 1900 - 1905

Niels Larsen Stevns made these sheep sketches with graphite on paper, probably in a small notebook. I love seeing these kinds of studies, as they can offer such insight into an artist’s practice. What was Stevns thinking as he put his pencil to paper? I imagine him out in the fields, surrounded by sheep, quickly capturing their forms and movements. Look at the cross-hatching on the sheep at the top left—it gives a sense of volume and texture, suggesting a thick, woolly coat. Then notice the lighter, fainter lines around the other sheep, indicating a softer, more diffused light. These sketches remind me of the work of other animaliers like Rosa Bonheur, who also sought to capture the essence of animal life. It's a conversation across time, where artists inspire each other, each adding their unique perspective. There's such an intimate connection between hand, eye, and subject.