Emu's 1821 - 1891

Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen’s ‘Emu’s’ is made with graphite on paper. The drawing presents four emus resting in a somewhat undefined space. Notice the artist's use of line and form to capture the texture of their plumage. Van der Brugghen seems less concerned with the accuracy of the emus appearance. The repeated forms of the emus create a visual rhythm, almost a musical structure. This compositional approach moves away from traditional scientific illustrations to engage with the formal qualities of the subject. The way Van der Brugghen uses a semiotic system of signs suggests an interest in how the natural world can be represented and understood through artistic expression, challenging the boundaries between scientific observation and aesthetic interpretation. The sketchiness of the lines emphasizes not only the visual representation but also the process of observation and recording, underscoring art's dynamic role in capturing and interpreting the world.