Ossenkop, naar links 1780 - 1851

Pieter Janson created this head of an ox, titled “Ossenkop, naar links” using etching techniques. The image is dominated by the ox’s head, rendered with a striking use of light and shadow. Notice how Janson uses dense, dark lines to define the contours of the head. The texture of the ox’s fur and the ruggedness of its horns, created by the etching, give the animal a palpable presence. The composition is simple yet powerful, focusing entirely on the animal’s head turned to the left, cropped in a way that intensifies the encounter. This portrait engages with ideas of realism and representation. Its lack of idealization reflects a shift towards depicting subjects in a more naturalistic manner. The intense gaze of the ox, combined with Janson’s stark technique, invites us to consider the animal not just as an object, but as a being with its own inherent presence.