De andre Ænder... 1928

Curator: We're looking at "De andre Ænder...", which translates to "The other ducks...", an ink drawing created by Fritz Syberg in 1928. It resides here at the SMK, the Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: It's wonderfully chaotic! The energetic lines and dense composition create a bustling scene. There's a sense of communal frenzy, yet it feels uniquely grounded in the mundane, everyday life. Curator: Indeed, Syberg often focused on these types of genre scenes, capturing rural life. His loose, almost hurried lines, were very characteristic of his style during this period. He had quite the prolific output, and wasn't afraid to render such simple scenes as an image of ducks. Editor: I am especially interested in this framing of domestic animals and their life within the society. It looks quite political for an animal drawing, although Syberg was known to be actively political! The artist often uses his imagery to engage in discussions around political matters or other contemporary issues. Curator: Perhaps, although it could simply be that he sought beauty in the everyday. We shouldn't read the politics that we wish to find... Editor: Possibly so, although every representation, and the choice of representation, has implications for discussions on class, taste, and so on... Furthermore, these ducks could perhaps represent something different in society at the time of production. Curator: It also has the text worked into the image... which can be interpreted from different angles, of course. Editor: The placement and inclusion of this writing makes this art, in its nature, democratic. Anyone should be able to come in and immediately understand. Curator: Well, it's an engaging drawing either way, regardless of the political weight placed on it, and worth spending some time with as you make your own discoveries. Editor: Absolutely. And when we consider the political environment in Syberg's era, engaging with this scene invites a necessary investigation into the social and philosophical perspectives present within what may otherwise be perceived as an image of daily life.