Kop van een bok 1796 - 1856

Reinierus Albertus Ludovicus baron van Isendoorn à Blois made this head of a goat with pen in ink. Born into nobility in the late 18th century, the Baron’s position afforded him the leisure to study and draw animals with an eye for detail. While we don't know his intentions for this particular piece, images of livestock were often created as studies for larger works or as records of prized animals on estates. The baron’s meticulous approach to capturing the goat's likeness reflects a desire to classify and understand the natural world, echoing broader scientific and philosophical trends of the time. But there is something more, isn't there? It is difficult to look at this drawing and not be moved by the animal's gaze. The artist has managed to capture the essence of the animal in just a few strokes. It reminds us of the beauty and vulnerability of the creatures with whom we share the planet.