Fingals kamp med Lodas ånd 1814

C.G. Kratzenstein Stub made this drawing, Fingal's battle with Loda's spirit, in the early 19th century, using pen and brown ink on paper. The delicate lines belie the epic scene. Fingal, a hero of Gaelic myth, here battles a god-like spirit. The scene's dynamism is all the more impressive for the spareness of the artist's approach. The medium of ink and paper itself encourages this economy; each mark counts, and the white of the page becomes an active element in the composition. Note how Stub has used the thin lines to suggest depth and volume. Look at the swirling clouds, the musculature of the figures, and the fur of the dogs. The artist's skill in rendering these details with such simple means speaks to the long tradition of draftsmanship, where line is not just a boundary but a means of expression. The drawing is a testament to the power of traditional materials.