Bison at the Zagreb Zoo 1945

Alfred Krupa drew this bison at Zagreb Zoo in 1945 with pencil on paper. There's a real sense of looking; the tentative quality of the marks mimics the act of observation itself. The overall effect is a kind of soft, diffused mass. Look closely, and you can see how the physical act of hatching and cross-hatching creates shadows and textures. It's a pretty economical approach to depicting form, with layers of graphite conveying the bulk and weight of the animal. I’m drawn to the way Krupa describes the bison’s head. Short, choppy strokes give way to larger, more fluid lines, creating a sense of movement and energy. It’s almost as if the bison is coming into focus right before our eyes. You might think of Franz Marc’s animal paintings, but with a softer, more intimate touch. Like all good art, this drawing invites us to pause and consider how we see and understand the world around us.