Staande geit, van achteren 1803 - 1855

Abraham Krayestein made this drawing of a goat from behind, using pen in brown, sometime in the 19th century. The composition of the goat, seen squarely from the rear, dominates the visual field. Notice how the lines render the soft texture of the goat's fur with a gentle touch, contrasting with the firm muscular structure underneath. Krayestein skillfully uses light and shadow to model the form, creating depth and volume on a small surface. The artist invites us to view the animal not just as a subject but as a study in form and texture, a focus that challenges traditional pastoral art. It is this emphasis on materiality that brings to mind the structuralist pursuit of underlying systems of meaning. The goat becomes a sign, its components—line, texture, form—combining to produce a meaning that is both representational and abstract. The artist has used the formal qualities of the artwork—its lines, textures, and the way they delineate form—as an integral part of its expressive power. It is these elements that encourage an ongoing discourse between the artwork, the viewer, and the broader cultural landscape.