Study of Clouds 1840 - 1845

Editor: We are looking at "Study of Clouds" by Christen Købke, made between 1840 and 1845 using charcoal and watercolor on paper. It's currently at the SMK in Copenhagen. The artwork looks like a quick plein-air sketch of the sky. What visual symbols resonate with you? Curator: Clouds themselves, beyond mere weather, have often symbolized transience, change, even divine presence across cultures. Think of Renaissance Annunciations, with God often appearing through parted clouds. And within Romanticism, which Købke aligns with, there’s the sublime. Editor: The sublime? Curator: Yes, the awe and terror induced by nature's immensity. These aren't storm clouds, yet there's a latent power. Köbke is choosing a subject that represents nature’s strength but also it’s impermanence. In a rapidly industrializing world, these depictions also become symbols of nostalgia for nature and rural life. Does that reading make sense for you? Editor: I think so. There’s something melancholic about it now that you mention nostalgia. They do convey an ethereal quality. How would ordinary people seeing it at the time react to it? Curator: Perhaps they would find some hope, peace, comfort as the symbols are more subtle. This art allows an individual, quiet relationship with a grand idea. Editor: It is surprising that there are multiple layers within the simplicity of the medium and presentation of the art. Curator: Symbols often carry different cultural meaning depending on the place, time, or person; context is everything. Editor: It makes me want to pay closer attention to the sky; thank you! Curator: And to remember what meanings we find there, personally and collectively.