Stierenkop 1795 - 1813

Curator: Here we have Joannes Pieter Visser Bender’s "Stierenkop," dating from between 1795 and 1813, held here at the Rijksmuseum. It's rendered in pencil. Editor: Whoa, look at that gaze! Those soulful, deep eyes amidst all that sketched texture. Makes you think about our own gaze, doesn’t it? Like, what does it mean to really "see" something? Curator: In this depiction, we can explore themes of animal representation in art during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During this time animals became symbols of pastoral life and agricultural wealth, prompting discussion about humanity's evolving relationship with the natural world. Editor: I'm not sure about wealth… Looking at him, he seems trapped by his gaze, in a perpetual cycle of being observed. It makes me want to scribble over the paper, liberate him somehow. I feel some sadness for the poor beast. Curator: Considering it in context, artistic representations like these frequently emerged during periods of social and political upheaval, like after the French Revolution, prompting reflection on established norms and conventional values. This approach encourages discussions on the power dynamics between humanity and the animal kingdom, prompting a reassessment of anthropocentric perspectives. Editor: You know, it also feels strangely contemporary. The almost brutal honesty of the drawing, like an unflinching snapshot before 'selfies' and manufactured images became our everyday lives. It's like looking into the abyss… or, you know, into the soul of a steer. A melancholy soul, maybe. Curator: Yes, it serves as a powerful testament to our place in the larger world, and to what lengths we need to go to reflect, critique, and strive for a more ethical co-existence within the Earth's ecosystem. Editor: I just keep wondering what he's thinking. And I guess, in a way, Visser Bender lets us all ask that very question and, importantly, he pushes us towards more than just answering.