Kop van een wolf met open bek 1850

Jacobus Cornelis Gaal created this etching of a wolf's head with an open mouth. The texture in this artwork comes alive through the artist's use of line, each stroke carefully placed to define the form and convey the animal's raw energy. The rapid, almost frantic lines capture the texture of the wolf's fur. The sharp lines depicting the teeth and jaw are in stark contrast with the softer shading around the neck. This differentiation creates a compelling visual tension and underscores the dual nature of the wolf—ferocious yet vulnerable. Through Gaal’s technical skill, we see how the structure of line and form can communicate complex ideas about nature and its untamed essence.