Bison en een oryx 1736 - 1761

This is Johannes van der Spyck’s "Bison en een oryx" print. The vertical composition is divided into two distinct horizontal registers, each housing an animal figure. The bison, positioned above, commands attention with its robust form. Notice how the intricate lines meticulously define the texture of the bison’s coat and horns. This contrasts with the smooth areas and the strategic use of shadow to convey depth. The oryx below mirrors this technique, yet its form is more elongated and its texture more uniformly distributed, creating a sense of rhythmic continuity across its body. Van der Spyck’s engraving exemplifies a careful approach to visual representation, where each line serves to define form and texture, inviting us to contemplate the detailed structure inherent in nature. The print challenges fixed notions of art and science by blending empirical observation with artistic interpretation.