Saxo 1779 - 1781

Curator: Before us we have J.F. Clemens' "Saxo", an engraving and etching from 1779-1781, here at the SMK. Editor: It has such a strange, stark stillness. It reminds me of an abandoned monument on a desolate shore, but rendered in a precise, almost mathematical way. Very odd, like a fever dream of geometry! Curator: Precisely. Clemens employs a neoclassical style to represent a monument dedicated to Saxo Grammaticus, a Danish historian and theologian. Note the focus on line and form, devoid of excessive ornamentation – quintessential Neoclassicism. Editor: So, even the emptiness is intentional! I see, the geometric form dominates, suggesting perhaps an intellectual edifice, something purely of the mind... it gives an odd sensation, maybe cool logic is dominating the raw passion of human emotions. Curator: Yes, that interpretation resonates. Geometric shapes often carry weight signifying rational structure versus the organic messiness of human existence. The engraving style itself, the lines forming shapes, becomes part of that symbolic language. We perceive not just an image, but a whole cultural sensibility emphasizing order and reason. The past rendered in a way meant to promote values associated with enlightened progress. Editor: True! And there is a subtle melancholic quality. A monument inherently points to a past that cannot be reclaimed... this really strikes home, with each sharp line and severe angle cutting into any illusion of warmth. Even remembering something has its risks, I suppose. Curator: Memory, and history, viewed through the cool lens of the Enlightenment. Clemens provides a window into the way that past was not simply recorded, but also reconstructed. Editor: Thanks to Clemens and his... calculated emotion. This piece is a haunting reminder of how reason itself can become a kind of passion, capable of shaping our perception and molding our memories. Curator: A chilling, yet insightful consideration as we examine our relationship with the past, wouldn't you agree?