Vijf schetsen van geitenkoppen 1841 - 1857

Johan Daniël Koelman created "Five Sketches of Goat Heads" using graphite on paper. The composition features five studies of goat heads arranged across the page, each rendered with meticulous attention to form and texture. Koelman's use of graphite creates a range of tonal variations, from soft, subtle shadows to sharp, defined lines, giving each goat head a distinct character. The varying perspectives and expressions—some with mouths agape, others with heads tilted pensively—inject dynamism into the composition. The light source is implied rather than explicitly defined, allowing the forms to emerge from the paper with a gentle realism. This piece highlights how close observation and careful rendering can reveal the inner essence of a subject. By focusing on the subtle nuances of expression and form, Koelman invites us to look beyond the surface and consider the animal as a complex and individual being.