Modelstudier. Skitse til Slagelse-fresken "Den barmhjertige Samaritan" 1930 - 1936

Niels Larsen Stevns made this sketch for a fresco, using dark, bold lines that capture a figure in what seems like a moment of contemplation. I imagine him, Niels, in his studio, rapidly sketching, trying to capture the essence of human emotion and form. See how the lines are so economical? They quickly define the shape of the hands and the folds of the clothing, conveying weight and texture. It’s like he’s thinking aloud on paper, each stroke a step in the process of understanding. There’s a certain vulnerability in showing a preliminary sketch—it exposes the raw, unfiltered thoughts of the artist. He is working through an idea, searching. The rapid gestures remind me of other artists like Käthe Kollwitz. Ultimately, it's about empathy, right? We’re all just trying to figure it out, and artists like Niels show us how to see and feel a little deeper.