Gammel fisker tager hatten af og studie af sammes hoved 1810 - 1873

Curator: At first glance, this pencil drawing seems remarkably simple and unaffected. Editor: It evokes a certain quiet melancholy. The figure almost seems burdened, his posture slumped, but simultaneously dignified. Tell me, what more can you reveal about this work? Curator: The drawing is titled “Gammel fisker tager hatten af og studie af sammes hoved” or “Old Fisherman Taking Off His Hat and Study of the Same Head," attributed to Wilhelm Marstrand, created sometime between 1810 and 1873. The artwork resides here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Marstrand's decision to render this subject in pencil lends a soft, almost ethereal quality to the scene. Note the diagonal lean to the man’s form; it is elegantly, deliberately done, creating depth while implying the invisible line of labor to which the fisherman is bound. The rough materiality gives a subtle grace. Curator: From a historical perspective, it’s fascinating to consider how Marstrand elevates what might otherwise be perceived as a mundane subject, the figure of a common fisherman, into something worthy of artistic contemplation. There’s a clear romantic sensibility at play. This raises questions about how the romantic era viewed and valued the working class. Editor: Yes, there’s certainly an idealized element in the careful articulation of the man’s clothing and his wistful expression. Marstrand clearly intends to elicit a sense of empathy. He positions the pitcher just so, for compositional purposes as a centering feature that helps tie these scenes together and provide context to our view. Curator: It is a poignant exploration of the intersection between the individual and his social role during that epoch. Editor: I agree. Thinking purely in terms of form, Marstrand has really provided a nuanced, engaging rendering. I will consider its message more fully during my next viewing. Curator: Indeed. It offers rich terrain for considering social values.