This fascinating scene has been executed in a highly detailed, precise realist style reflecting the classic academy tradition. (They are characterized by the careful light and shade producing a convincing illusion of three-dimensional volume of the figures and also the skillful depictions of details.) It depicts a monk, two wanderers,and a dead man. Certainly seems to be a mystery. It might be fun for the buyer to research which book or story this illustration was made for.
The drawing is signed and executed by Poul Steffensen (1866-1923), a well-listed Danish artist. He was a pupil of C.N Overgaard, studied at the Royal Art Academy in 1887 where he was a pupil of F. Vermehren, Julius Exner and Carl Bloch. Steffensen worked primarily with landscapes and animal scenes. He is best known for his series of realistic and detailed landscapes with cattle or horses. Steffensen was also an excellent illustrator and did the illustrations for the history novels by the authors Carl Etlars and B.S Ingemann. He participated in the following exhibitions: Charlottenborg: 1892-1922, The Artists Fall Exhibition: 1904, Art Union: 1923, Gallery Bergenholz: 1920.

Country of Origin: Denmark.

Medium: Pen, watercolor and ink on paper.

Titled and dated: Lower Left - "Skatten i Hovslund" 1902. There is some writing on the back of the drawing. I've photographed it as well. The drawing is loosely attached to the mat so it is easy to turn over.

Size: The drawing is placed on mats of A4 format. The drawing itself is 7 1/4 by 5 3/4 inches; the mat is 11 1/2 by 8 1/4 inches.

Condition: This unframed drawing is in Very Good Antique Condition, with slight yellowing of the paper.

This drawing came from a private collection of illustrations for books and magazines by Poul Steffensen that I bought many years ago.