Ærkeenglen Mikaels kamp med dragen 1933 - 1934

Editor: Here we have Niels Larsen Stevns' drawing in pencil on paper, made sometime between 1933 and 1934. It’s titled *Archangel Michael's Fight with the Dragon.* It looks like a preliminary sketch, very sparse, but somehow still conveys movement. How would you interpret this work within its historical context? Curator: This sketch, despite its seeming simplicity, carries significant weight when viewed through the lens of its historical moment. Stevns created this during a period of increasing political and social anxiety in Europe, leading up to World War II. How do you think the symbolism of St. Michael, the epitome of good fighting evil, resonates with that pre-war atmosphere? Editor: I imagine it offered a sense of hope. That even in those dark times, good would triumph in the end. Is there a tradition of representing this subject matter? Curator: Absolutely. Representations of St. Michael battling the dragon have a long and complex history in Western art, often linked to periods of upheaval or perceived threats to the established order. Here, the "dragon" could symbolize anything from rising fascism to social unrest or internal struggles, so what statement might the artist be trying to make with his depiction of St. Michael’s struggle during this time? Editor: The simple, almost raw lines makes it seem like the fight is ongoing, and uncertain. Almost a modern, less idealized take than the traditional heroic imagery. Curator: Precisely. This rawness is where we see Stevns engaging with his contemporary world. By stripping down the image to its core elements, he makes it less of a distant religious allegory and more of an immediate, pressing concern. This approach opens up interesting questions about how the public receives and interprets imagery, especially during politically charged times. What are your thoughts on its modern take? Editor: It’s fascinating how much historical context can inform a seemingly simple sketch. I didn't initially appreciate the depth of its symbolism! Curator: Exactly! And it reminds us that even preparatory sketches, like this one, can be powerful reflections of the socio-political climate in which they were created, playing a vital role in shaping public perception and understanding of those times.