Head of a Hound 

George Morland made this drawing of a hound’s head with graphite on paper. Morland's choice of such humble materials allowed him to quickly capture the likeness of the animal. The soft gray tones created by the graphite convey the texture of the hound's fur and the subtle contours of its face, and he applied the material with simple hatching strokes. The drawing captures the animal's essence and the sitter’s soft, soulful eyes. Drawings like this were often studies for larger paintings, popular at the time. Morland often depicted scenes of rural life and animals, catering to the tastes of an urban audience seeking an idealized view of the countryside. The apparent ease with which Morland created this drawing belies the skill involved in capturing such a lifelike representation. It shows that even with everyday materials, an artist can achieve remarkable results, blurring the boundaries between craft and fine art.