Studie van een pauw 1720 - 1792

Curator: Here we have Aert Schouman’s pencil drawing, “Studie van een pauw,” which roughly translates to "Study of a Peacock." This artwork hails from sometime between 1720 and 1792 and resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's remarkably sparse, isn't it? Just the barest lines capturing the form of the bird. It evokes a sense of stillness, of capturing a fleeting moment. Curator: Indeed. While seemingly simple, the peacock itself has been a consistent symbol throughout history, often associated with vanity, pride, but also, in Christian symbolism, with immortality due to the supposed incorruptibility of its flesh. Editor: So even this unassuming sketch taps into layers of cultural meaning? Curator: Precisely. The artist uses minimal strokes to render this iconic bird. Think about how Schouman manages to evoke the inherent cultural understanding that most viewers have concerning peacocks using only graphite on paper. Editor: From a formal perspective, notice the contrast in the linework—the delicate feathery strokes versus the firm outlines defining the body. The empty space around the figure is just as critical; it puts everything into sharp focus. It really centers on form stripped down to its essence. Curator: This tension also echoes the symbolic contrast inherent in the bird itself. The pride and showmanship versus the humble, perhaps mortal bird it actually is. The blankness surrounding the study allows for meditation, a moment of considering layers. Editor: The subdued character and pale hues of the paper lend it this air of having been found–as though from some naturalist's notebook, hinting at both the real world of scientific documentation as well as the symbolic one, almost like looking back in time itself. Curator: Absolutely. These types of preparatory drawings served not only as reference, but to explore a deeper sense of the symbol the artist seeks to capture within a more finished piece. Editor: It makes one contemplate the cultural weight we impose onto forms, how just a few lines can conjure a complex web of associations. Thank you. Curator: A potent demonstration of the artist’s talent to be sure, bringing with it all the symbolism we heap upon the noble peacock.