Twee paardenhoofden en twee ramskoppen 1818 - 1876

Carel Christiaan Antony Last made this drawing of two horse heads and two ram heads in the Netherlands, but we don’t know exactly when. This work connects to the long tradition of animal studies within European art academies. From the 17th century onward, art academies played a key role in shaping artistic production and taste. They prescribed what was considered proper subject matter. Animals were a popular theme for study because they allowed artists to practice their skills in anatomy and observation. Look at how the artist uses line and shading to create a sense of depth and texture in the animals' fur. This drawing may well have been a preparatory sketch for a larger painting or print. Understanding its place in academic practice gives us insight into the social conditions that shaped its creation. For further research, explore the curriculum of Dutch art academies in the 19th century. Consider also the role that prints played in disseminating artistic knowledge. By looking at these things, we get a fuller understanding of this drawing and its cultural meaning.