Thorvaldsen siddende i en sofa 1844

This is "Thorvaldsen seated on a sofa", made in 1844 by Johan Thomas Lundbye. The drawing is made with fine strokes of pen and brown ink. We see the famed sculptor Thorvaldsen in a moment of repose, and it’s important to remember that sketching itself is a kind of labor. Lundbye created this study over two days, first outlining and then filling in the composition. This involved a keen eye and a skilled hand, as the ink had to be carefully applied to avoid smudging or blotting. Lundbye's artistic approach, with its emphasis on line and form, emphasizes Thorvaldsen's humanity and the work involved in the creative process. Drawing as a medium, like sculpture itself, involves a constant process of refinement. Both artists invite us to appreciate the dedication required to create something beautiful, whether it be a sketch or a sculpture. This piece reminds us that all art involves effort and time, and it encourages us to see value in both the finished product and the labor that went into it.