Kopi efter glasmosaik 1892

Curator: Here we have Agnes Slott-Møller’s "Kopi efter glasmosaik," or "Copy after glass mosaic," made in 1892. It's a watercolor and drawing piece that gives us a glimpse into her fascination with medieval art. What strikes you first about it? Editor: Immediately, I’m drawn to its playful solemnity. The colors are so delicate, almost childlike, yet the subject matter—kings and medieval scenes—evokes a certain grandeur. It feels like a medieval storybook illustration, softened by memory. Curator: Exactly! Slott-Møller was part of a movement turning to the art and legends of the Nordic past. This piece copies the visual language of stained glass, that you would see in a medieval cathedral. Editor: And the arch shape reinforces that. I notice the arrangement of figures. Three kings stand at the bottom, each with distinct regalia, then an offering... is that cheese? And then a king getting helped up to his horse by the gate of what appears to be his kingdom? Curator: Very insightful! The figures become symbolic. The three kings at the bottom perhaps representing the wise men bearing gifts, echoing Christian iconography absorbed into Nordic medieval art. And that could very well be cheese... Editor: (Laughs) Or bread maybe? It feels strangely like an altar, though, elevating the scene into something... hallowed. Do you see the tiny fleur-de-lis designs decorating the margins around each panel? Are there lilies there on their robes too? Curator: Good eyes! Yes, they do, and the fleur-de-lis are symbols linked to French royalty and the Virgin Mary, and thus purity, and sovereign right, reinforcing the themes of nobility. She brings in symbolism from various sources. Editor: So interesting! It almost feels like Slott-Møller is not just copying, but re-interpreting and almost… reimagining medieval grandeur through a softer, almost whimsical lens. Curator: That is so true. It becomes a vessel for her own creative expression, making the historical themes personal, giving them new life. Editor: I love how this piece blends reverence and lightheartedness, echoing ancient symbols with a modern touch. I think it brings a really lovely human touch to what can feel like such distant, weighty imagery. Curator: Indeed! And perhaps we find in its symbolism a reminder of how art and narrative connect us to the past and to each other, as the image is copied, and recreated through time, its initial significance always reshaped as time goes on.