Liggende koe 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing of a reclining cow in the late 19th or early 20th century. The fleeting sketch is made with graphite, and the pressure of the artist’s hand gives shape to the cow's solid presence on paper. Consider the qualities of graphite itself – soft, yielding, and easily manipulated. Breitner coaxes depth and form from the medium, using shading to create a sense of the animal's bulk. With a few deft strokes, Breitner captures the texture of the cow's hide, the weight of its head, and the curve of its horns. You can almost feel the rough texture of the animal. The choice of such humble materials speaks to the realities of artistic production and the labor of the artist. Breitner elevates the ordinary, reminding us that art can be found in the everyday, if we only take the time to look.