Vijf studies van ramskoppen 1840

Hendrik Jozef Franciscus van der Poorten created these five studies of ram's heads with pen in gray ink and gray wash. Van der Poorten lived through considerable political upheaval in Europe, from the Napoleonic era to the rise of industrialization, which saw traditional hierarchies and social structures destabilized. Here, the artist offers us the ram's head from multiple perspectives, allowing a complete vision. The ram has historically been a symbol of virility, determination, and leadership, particularly in Western cultures. But, within agricultural societies, it represents the herded, the domestic animal controlled by others. Note the way the artist carefully renders the tightly curled horns, creating a strong contrast with the more softly shaded wool. These drawings invite us to think about power and control. The very act of artistic study reflects a desire to understand and perhaps to dominate the subject. Van der Poorten allows us to reflect on the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.