Liggend schaap 1735 - 1771

This small etching by Jan Matthias Cok presents a sheep reclining amidst foliage. The dominant visual experience lies in its textured surfaces and tonal contrasts achieved through fine, parallel lines. The artist evokes a sense of volume and depth, primarily using a network of hatched lines. Cok’s emphasis on line and texture transforms the sheep into a study of form rather than a mere representation. The careful structuring of light and shadow destabilizes traditional pastoral depictions, shifting focus from the idyllic to the structural. It challenges viewers to reconsider established meanings, engaging with new ways of thinking about representation within art. Note the etched lines; their density and direction are integral not just to the aesthetic, but also to the conceptual framework of the piece, underscoring how the art can be viewed through an ongoing process of interpretation.