Deer (recto); Skull of Giraffe (verso) n.d.

Here, at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a drawing of a deer by Edwin Henry Landseer. The work is made of graphite on paper. The most striking aspect of this drawing is the artist’s use of line to define the deer's form and texture. Landseer masterfully employs hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create a sense of volume, depth, and also the animal's fur. The composition emphasizes the deer’s majestic presence through its erect posture and forward-gazing expression. The stag is almost centered in the frame, allowing the viewer to appreciate the animal's anatomy. The meticulous detail in the antlers contrasts with the sketchier, more ambiguous background, pushing the deer into the foreground. The overall effect conveys the essence and spirit of the animal.