Torenvalk gevangen in handen 1852

August Allebé created this drawing, "Torenvalk gevangen in handen," or "Kestrel Captured in Hands," using pen in gray on gray paper. The composition immediately draws the eye to the contrast between the wild bird and the human hands that restrain it. Allebé uses a muted palette, which creates a somber mood, emphasizing the kestrel's vulnerability. The detailed rendering of the feathers, contrasted with the smoother texture of the hands, highlights a struggle between nature and control. Allebé challenges the viewer to consider the power dynamics at play. Is it a study of natural beauty, or an unsettling statement about dominion? The drawing encourages us to question the lines we draw between freedom and captivity, and how these are represented in the very structure of the image.