Den sönderslagna statyn II 1917

Nils Dardel made this watercolour, "Den sönderslagna statyn II", with thin washes and delicate lines. You can really see the process, nothing is obscured. Look at the way Dardel lays down the blues and greens – it's almost like he's sketching with colour. The paint isn’t trying to hide, it’s flowing and dripping, just like my own studio when I’m figuring things out. The statue, so prominently placed, is headless, and cradles a guitar. This disruption echoes throughout the scene, where figures seem lost in their own worlds, disconnected from each other. There's a dreamlike quality, reminiscent of De Chirico. But while De Chirico’s classicism feels heavy, Dardel’s touch is light, almost whimsical, hinting at something darker underneath. Ultimately, Dardel shows us that art isn't about answering questions, it's about asking them in new and interesting ways.