En kriger fremviser et afhugget hoved for en feltherre, mens andre krigere ser til 1749 - 1790

This drawing was made by Erik Pauelsen, around 1749-1790 and is rendered in pencil. The composition depicts a stark scene: a warrior presenting a severed head. The artist uses a monochromatic palette, emphasizing form and structure. Notice how the figures are arranged, creating a sense of depth despite the limited tonal range. The composition leads your eye from the head, up to the seated warlord, then to the figures standing at the back. The precise lines and shading give the figures a sculptural quality. The drawing explores themes of power and violence, but also representation. The act of presenting a head becomes a symbolic gesture loaded with cultural meaning. The arrangement of figures and stark presentation may destabilize traditional heroic narratives, and invite a more critical reading of power dynamics. It raises questions about how the artist uses classical tropes to reflect on contemporary issues. Consider the overall effect of the drawing: how does Pauelsen use form and composition to question established meanings and provoke thought about war and authority?