Zebu c. 1866 - 1939

Bernard Willem Wierink made this drawing of a Zebu, a type of cattle, with graphite and chalk on paper. I love how the artist has captured the essence of the animal with just a few lines. You can almost feel the weight of its head and the gentle curve of its neck. It feels like Wierink wasn't aiming for a perfect likeness, but was more interested in the animal's spirit. Look at how the chalk catches the light on the Zebu's face, giving it a soft, almost ethereal quality. It’s like the animal is emerging from the paper. The texture of the paper itself adds another layer of depth, making the drawing feel both intimate and immediate. This piece reminds me of other animal drawings I have seen where artists like Franz Marc sought to capture the animal's inner life. It is a reminder of the power of drawing to reveal the hidden beauty in the everyday.