Een paard aan een paal vastgebonden c. 1802

Joannes Bemme made this drawing, Een paard aan een paal vastgebonden, using pen and gray ink, accentuating the lines with a needle, sometime before his death in 1841. The sepia tones and precise lines create a sense of understated elegance. The careful process of applying the ink through a pen, and the needlework, reflect a skilled hand and eye. The choice of these materials, along with the limited tonal range, invite us to consider the significance of drawing as a method of capturing and conveying information. The drawing evokes a world where horses were essential for transportation and labor. The very act of depicting the horse tied to a post speaks to themes of constraint and utility. Ultimately, this drawing highlights the deep connection between art, everyday life, and the social context in which it was created. It demonstrates how 'craft' and 'fine art' often overlap.