Udkast til "Kristus velsigner de små børn" 1937 - 1938

This is Niels Larsen Stevns' preliminary sketch for "Christ Blessing the Children," crafted with pen and ink on paper. Stevns, who lived through both World Wars, was deeply engaged with religious and ethical themes, reflecting the existential questioning pervasive in a war-torn Europe. This sketch offers an intimate look into Stevns' creative process. The figures, rendered with simple lines, converge around Christ, who is depicted in the act of blessing a child. The emotional core of the scene—acceptance and love—challenges the rigid social hierarchies of the time, suggesting a world where vulnerability and innocence are valued above all. Stevns' decision to focus on this particular biblical scene speaks volumes about his desire to emphasize a message of empathy. In a world often defined by exclusion, Stevns uses his art to envision an inclusive space, making the viewer contemplate the emotional and ethical dimensions of community and care.