Kop van een koe 1788 - 1814

This is Jan Kobell the Younger's "Head of a Cow," an early 19th-century watercolor and brush drawing. The work is striking for its immediacy, defined by loose washes of brown and grey which give shape to the animal's form. The painting uses the technique of 'alla prima', completed in one sitting, to capture a sense of movement and life. Kobell focuses on the cow's head, positioning it to the left of the frame, a choice that creates a dynamic tension within the composition. The eyes, rendered with particular care, invite the viewer into a silent exchange. We see a play of light and shadow across the animal's face, heightening its three-dimensionality. Note also how the textures are differentiated, from the soft fur to the rough-hewn wooden structure behind. This contrast accentuates the tactile quality of the artwork. Kobell's drawing invites us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world. Through formal elements like light, shadow, and texture, he creates a portrait that transcends mere representation, becoming a study in being.