Vier koppen van schapen en bokken 1750 - 1811

This drawing, "Vier koppen van schapen en bokken," was created by Barend Hendrik Thier. The artwork presents a quartet of animal heads with distinct expressions, rendered using subtle tonal variations. The structural composition of the artwork invites a semiotic reading, particularly in how the heads are arranged in a grid-like format. Each head is presented in a distinct pose. This organized layout encourages a comparative analysis. The visual elements such as the texture of the wool and the curvature of the horns, serve as signifiers, potentially reflecting the values of pastoral life during the artist's time. The choice of monochrome palette is not merely representational, but contributes to the overall impact of the artwork. It encourages us to view the animals not just as representations but as studies in form and texture. The artwork can be viewed as a site where nature is observed, analyzed, and categorized, reflecting the scientific curiosity of the era.