Hoofd van een paard 1737 - 1802

Francesco Casanova made this drawing, "Head of a Horse," using chalk. Notice how the composition focuses almost entirely on the horse's head, cropped tightly to emphasize its form. The limited palette of grays and whites gives the artwork a subdued, almost ethereal quality, highlighting the texture of the chalk on the paper. Casanova's use of light and shadow defines the musculature and contours of the horse's head, creating a sense of depth and volume. The softness of the chalk allows for subtle gradations, capturing the animal's gentle expression. Consider how the artist employs line and shading to convey not just physical likeness, but also a certain emotional presence. The horse appears both powerful and serene. The cropping of the image challenges traditional representations by focusing on a fragment. In doing so, Casanova invites us to consider the horse's essence through its form and texture. This drawing remains an exploration of how an artwork’s formal qualities evoke meaning.