Job 1920

Curator: Here we have Jens Lund’s wooden sculpture from 1920 entitled, *Job*. It resides here at the SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. Editor: It strikes me as overwhelmingly sorrowful. The bowed head, the slumped posture…there’s a profound sense of defeat radiating from this figure. The materiality certainly enhances that mood. Curator: Indeed. Lund's choice of wood brings a rawness to the representation. Observe how the carving emphasizes simplified geometric shapes. Consider the cylindrical form he holds, juxtaposed against the draping fabric and angled limbs, revealing a commitment to post-cubist visual structures. Editor: Is he holding an urn? This image really encapsulates the struggles that people face. Perhaps its commentary on the disillusionment and struggle for normalcy following World War I? This would align with the widespread socio-political turmoil of the era. Curator: An interesting interpretation. While the 'urn' may lead us to ponder loss, focusing on the wood itself offers another pathway into understanding its essence. Observe the textural grain and how Lund manipulates the timber, almost caressing his chosen materials to create the planes that structure his figure. Editor: Even so, shouldn’t we also consider the historical placement of this artwork? Did its exhibition incite feelings of sorrow amongst viewers? I wonder about public reaction to depictions of hardship during that time. Curator: That would require some additional research, but by centering on form and materiality alone, the sculpture provides all that’s required for decoding and for accessing the essence of feeling. Note his emphasis on essential structural forms rather than detailed, imitative carving. Editor: A balance of formal aspects with sociohistorical sensitivity…That seems key. Curator: Precisely. Now, it seems to me, we may better appreciate *Job* by contemplating the dynamic interplay between subjective feeling, aesthetic consideration, and relevant contextual factors.