Twee hoofden van koeien 1848 - 1865

Gerard Bilders created this drawing, "Two Heads of Cows," using pen and ink, where the stark contrast immediately captures our attention. The artist presents two studies of bovine heads, each rendered with meticulous detail against a blank background. The composition is divided simply, emphasizing the texture and form through dense, precise lines. Note how Bilders uses hatching and cross-hatching to define the musculature and bone structure, creating a sense of volume and weight. The eyes, though small, are intensely expressive, drawing us into the animal's gaze. Considered through the lens of structuralism, the drawing invites us to explore the relationship between representation and reality. Bilders’ close observation and detailed rendering of the cows’ heads function as signs, pointing back to the animal. This drawing emphasizes how we perceive and categorize the natural world through art.