Liggend rund en detail van de achterpoten 1833

Pieter Jan Guise made this study of a resting cow out of graphite on paper in 1838. The tones and textures are achieved through the manipulation of the graphite on the surface of the paper. Notice the variations of pressure, creating shadow and volume with subtle tonal gradations. The soft strokes suggest the animal's fur, the hard lines define the weight. Drawings like this one would have served as studies for paintings, often of pastoral scenes where animals would represent the bounty of the land. The agricultural revolution of the 19th century would have seen an increased interest in livestock. The Industrial Revolution created new markets and demands for agricultural products. This drawing, therefore, is not only about the animal itself, but also the broader economic landscape. The artwork exemplifies how the process of making, and the materials used, are embedded in the cultural and economic context of the time.