Liggende koe in de stal 1812

Jean Bernard made this drawing of a cow resting in its stall, sometime before his death in 1833, using graphite on paper. In a drawing like this, the artist's skill is all about control. Bernard coaxes a full range of tones from a humble pencil. Look closely, and you’ll see many tiny strokes, all laid down with careful precision. The final image emerges from the accumulation of all these small marks. Graphite itself is a fascinating material. A form of carbon, it is soft and leaves a dark trace when rubbed against a surface. The more pressure is applied, the darker the mark. But more than that, the artist’s hand is evident in the gradations of light and shadow. Bernard has to have been looking closely at the cow and its surroundings, to capture this precise play of light. Ultimately, the material and process contribute to the intimate feeling of the drawing. It shows us the value of close observation, and how much can be achieved with a simple medium.