Pelicans in Artis Zoo 1880

imaginative character sketch

toned paper

light pencil work

quirky sketch

pencil sketch

incomplete sketchy

personal sketchbook

pencil drawing

watercolour illustration

fantasy sketch

Jan van Essen's "Pelicans in Artis Zoo," a watercolor and pencil drawing from 1880, captures three pelicans in the Artis Zoo. The artist, known for his animal studies, portrays the birds in a realistic style, with detailed feather patterns and subtle shading. The drawing's focus on the pelicans' unique anatomy and their interactions emphasizes van Essen's keen observation of the natural world. This artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the zoological studies and animal depictions popular in the late 19th century.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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The Amsterdam artist Jan van Essen took the tram daily to Artis to study the animals. He was especially fond of the lions and large birds, such as pelicans, vultures and marabous. The sketches he made on the spot served as models in composing his paintings. He also derived inspiration from the work of the British artist and sculptor John Macallan Swan.