Staande koe met een deken 1812

Jean Bernard made this drawing of a standing cow with a blanket, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It’s made with graphite on paper, humble materials, but employed with extraordinary skill. Look closely, and you can see how the artist built up the image, stroke by stroke. The direction and density of the lines define the forms, from the cylindrical barrels in the loft to the soft bulk of the animal. This painstaking technique, known as hatching, was common practice in printmaking, and Bernard was indeed a graphic artist. The drawing has the quality of an engraving in its precision and clarity. Notice the way the cow seems to fill the space, a powerful presence rendered with patience and care. We can appreciate the labor involved, not only in the daily work of farming, but also in the artist's quiet act of observation and translation. The level of attention elevates the subject, transforming the everyday into something worthy of contemplation. It reminds us to look closely at the world around us.