Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen created these Studies van een arend in the 19th century with graphite. During this period, the Dutch Romantic movement was gaining momentum, focusing on the beauty and power of nature. Brugghen's choice to depict an eagle is particularly striking. Throughout history, the eagle has been a symbol of power, freedom, and even masculinity in many cultures. Brugghen’s detailed sketches invite us to contemplate the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. The artist’s studies capture not just the physical appearance of the eagle, but also something of its essence; the sharpness of its gaze, the strength in its form. Brugghen seems to be asking: what does it mean to capture the spirit of an animal, and how does this reflect our own desires and fears?