Kop van een stier 1851

This small print, made by Jacobus Cornelis Gaal, depicts a bull’s head in exquisite detail. It was made using a process called etching, where the artist protects a metal plate with a waxy coating, draws into it with a sharp needle, and then immerses the plate in acid. The acid bites away the exposed lines, allowing them to hold ink. The image is all about line, creating subtle tonal variations, but also describing the volume and texture of the animal. The artist is clearly interested in the bull as a physical specimen. But in a way, the printmaking process also makes an appearance. The close, regular hatching in the background reveals the disciplined labor of the artist, building up an image slowly, methodically. Consider how different this is from painting, where effects can be achieved much more quickly. The relative slowness of printmaking might seem an odd fit for a sketch like this, but it also gives the image its distinct character. It's a reminder that even a quick study can be enriched by the focused application of craft.