Lopende koe, naar rechts 1775 - 1833

Editor: This is Jean Bernard's pencil drawing, "Lopende koe, naar rechts," made sometime between 1775 and 1833. It's such a delicate rendering; the artist really captured the cow’s form and texture with just pencil on paper. What do you notice about the composition of this piece? Curator: The composition is quite straightforward. We have a subject presented in a predominantly horizontal format with a horizon line separating ground and sky. The varying pressure used in the pencil creates a spectrum of grey tones to delineate shape and dimension. I would draw your attention to the varying textural marks across the cow’s coat and the surrounding grass tufts. Editor: So, it's all about how he's using the pencil, how he achieves tonal variation, to represent this subject? Curator: Precisely. Observe how the artist doesn’t give us precise contours. We perceive a cow, not through the unwavering line of its outline, but by means of shadow, density, and mass. It is this artistic economy that facilitates its creation as something more evocative of realism than simple objective rendering. Consider the artist's touch in defining the surrounding landscape, a seemingly simple technique that nevertheless adds great dimension to the foreground and distant view. What affect do you think this choice of method brings to this composition? Editor: I see what you mean. The implied shapes and the shading create a believable and atmospheric landscape. Curator: Exactly, and I suggest its atmospheric touch is successful thanks to his artistic economy; using the minimum number of marks required to achieve maximum perceptual clarity and affective texture. Editor: This makes me appreciate the level of detail conveyed through minimal strokes and varying darkness. Curator: I'm delighted to have been able to guide you to better viewing skills. Editor: And I now see beyond just the image, to the beauty of the artistry. Thank you.