Studie af firpas for enden af korsarm på Egebjerg-krucifixet. Firpasset viser løven, Markus' evangelistsymbol 1919

This is a study of a quatrefoil at the end of the cross arm on the Egebjerg crucifix, drawn by Niels Larsen Stevns, most likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Executed in pencil on paper, the artist documented the lion, a symbol of the evangelist Mark, with loose and energetic strokes. Stevns’ choice of a humble material like pencil on paper is significant, as it underscores the drawing's status as a study rather than a finished work of art. The spontaneous, almost casual approach allowed the artist to quickly capture the essence of the medieval carving. What might have drawn Stevns to this particular detail? Was he interested in the religious symbolism, the craftsmanship of the original crucifix, or perhaps the way that folk art traditions can be transformed into fine art? By focusing on the material and process behind this study, we can better appreciate the artist's engagement with both the subject matter and his own artistic practice. It blurs the lines between observation, documentation, and artistic interpretation, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of art itself.