Studie van een schaap en drie schaapskoppen 1834 - 1898

This is a pencil drawing of a sheep and three sheep heads by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. The composition is deceptively simple, yet it orchestrates a complex interplay of form and perspective. Look closely at how the artist uses line. There's a lightness of touch, an almost hesitant quality to the marks. Notice how the sheep's body is rendered with soft, flowing lines that capture the animal’s volume, while the heads seem to dissolve into the background, an effect achieved by the economical use of graphite. The varying pressure of the pencil creates depth and texture, suggesting the woolly fleece and the subtle contours of the animal's anatomy. The drawing is not merely representational. It investigates the essence of form, pushing the boundaries between presence and absence. This interplay invites us to question the very nature of seeing, and the structural elements that shape our perception.