Studies van koeien en koeienkoppen 1787 - 1847

Josephus Augustus Knip made these studies of cows and cow heads using graphite, probably sometime in the early 19th century. The graphite is a humble material, but a versatile one. The artist has exploited it here to capture the soft, gentle qualities of the animals’ forms. Look closely, and you’ll see how Knip uses varied pressure to suggest volume and texture. These aren't simple outlines; he really coaxes the graphite to model the shapes of the cows' heads. These are studies, not finished works, and that gives them a special appeal. They offer a glimpse into the artist's process, how he carefully observed and translated the world around him. In a way, they are documents of labor. It takes time, sustained attention, to really see a cow, to capture the essence of its bovine being with just a pencil. They remind us that even the simplest materials, when wielded with skill and care, can offer profound insight.