Hoofd van een paard met oogkleppen, naar rechts 1815

Jean Bernard created this drawing, "Head of a Horse with Blinders, Facing Right", using pen in grey ink and graphite. The composition centers on a horse's head, meticulously detailed, with the use of line and tonal variation creating a sense of depth and texture, which evokes a feeling of classical restraint. Bernard's formal approach invites contemplation on the concept of control and constraint. The blinders symbolize restricted vision, prompting questions about the nature of sight and perception. The horse, a symbol often associated with freedom and power, is here depicted under human control, its vision literally limited. Notice the delicate balance between realism and symbolic representation in Bernard’s work. His formal choices, such as the starkness of the lines and the limited tonal range, serve not just aesthetic purposes but invite us to consider broader philosophical questions about freedom, control, and the nature of seeing. The image encourages continuous interpretation.