To hestehoveder og et mandshoved 1686 - 1738

Curator: Before us we see “Two Horse Heads and a Man's Head," a drawing rendered in pencil and charcoal by Hendrik Krock, sometime between 1686 and 1738. Editor: My initial impression is of a study in contrasts. The soft, smudged charcoal work is juxtaposed against sharper pencil lines, lending a layered feeling. Curator: That's astute. The contrast might speak to different facets of equestrian symbolism, particularly within the baroque era, known for dramatic flair. Horses often symbolized power, status, and even wild, untamed nature. Note how only one is colored with red chalk, evoking bloodshed and sacrifice. Editor: Precisely. Consider the composition. Two distinct equine heads dominate, while the man is almost relegated to an afterthought. Does this suggest the shifting social standing? A questioning of values where beasts of burden receive more intense focus than the human? Curator: Intriguing. One could interpret the isolated head as an allegorical figure, a historical warrior or nobleman perhaps, faded from collective memory and relegated to a ghostly sketch. Horses remained crucial for warfare and transport—arguably, their physical power held more immediate relevance than individual identities in many contexts. Editor: Visually, I'm drawn to the subtle variations in line weight and texture. Look how the artist employs delicate hatching to convey the sheen of the horses' coats versus the heavier strokes that define musculature. This speaks to Krock’s skill in depicting nuanced light and shadow, despite the limited palette. The bridle is rendered economically, more an evocation of control. Curator: The bridled versus unbridled duality resonates too. In iconography, the bridle might signal disciplined power, essential for heroic endeavors but perhaps repressing innate instincts. Meanwhile, a disembodied human head implies something fragmentary—intellect, authority or nobility—isolated from physical form or purpose. The study makes the human subservient. Editor: An evocative image. Krock has expertly transformed a seemingly simple sketch into a compelling meditation on power dynamics. Curator: Absolutely, Hendrik Krock invites consideration of the hierarchies of the Baroque period using merely line and shadow. A fine example of historical reflection and an underappreciated piece.