Liggend varken, naar rechts 1775 - 1833

This drawing, ‘Liggend varken, naar rechts’ was created by Jean Bernard in the late 18th or early 19th century, using graphite on paper. Graphite, a form of carbon, allows for the creation of tonal variations and textures, seen here in the rendering of the pig’s bristly coat. The artist employs hatching and shading techniques, building up layers of graphite to give the pig a sense of volume. The choice of graphite, a relatively inexpensive material, speaks to the work's function as a study. The artist has captured the animal's form with efficiency, suggesting a keen understanding of anatomy. There's a palpable sense of weight to the animal, emphasized through the subtle gradations of tone. By focusing on the materiality and process, we can appreciate how this seemingly simple sketch reflects both artistic skill and the social context of artistic practice in Bernard's time. It challenges the distinction between fine art and craft, showing the value of observational drawing.