Animal Studies 1635 - 1683

Nicolaes Berchem created this drawing, Animal Studies, using pen and brown ink on paper. The composition immediately strikes one as a study in contrasts. Berchem uses a warm, reddish-brown ink to bring to life his animal subjects. Note how the figures are arranged across the sheet, seemingly caught mid-motion. The use of line is particularly striking. Berchem employs short, rapid strokes to delineate the forms of the animals. Observe the differing weights of the lines. Thicker lines are used to define the contours of the animals' bodies, while thinner lines suggest shading and texture. Through his distinctive style, Berchem captures the essence and vitality of these creatures. He destabilizes the traditional static representation of animals, inviting us to see them not just as subjects, but as dynamic beings in their own right.