Hoofd van een paard met een kap op, naar links 1818

Jean Bernard’s “Head of a Horse with a Cap, Facing Left” presents a study in muted tones, rendered with graphite on paper. The composition centres on the horse's head, meticulously detailed with fine, deliberate lines that delineate its form. The horse's bridle is meticulously captured, adding an element of structural complexity to the organic shape of the animal. Bernard's handling of line and shadow suggests an interplay between control and freedom. Notice how the lines, though precise, retain a softness that captures the animal's vitality. This controlled approach allows the artwork to be interpreted through a formalist lens where elements like line and form take centre stage. The drawing’s strength lies in its ability to evoke presence through minimal means. The horse's gaze, though simply rendered, conveys a sense of awareness, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between representation and reality.