Acorn King: A Man Astride a Cow
1712 or later
Medium
Pen and black ink
Dimensions
sheet: 3 9/16 x 2 5/16 in. (9 x 5.9 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Jean A. Bonna Gift, 2007
Accession Number
2007.223.35
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created around 1712 or shortly thereafter, *Acorn King: A Man Astride a Cow* is a compact pen-and-ink drawing by the Swiss artist Johannes Brandenberg. Measuring just over three by two inches, the work depicts a man perched atop a cow, a whimsical subject that immediately invites curiosity. The title suggests a playful or satirical reference, perhaps alluding to folk tales or seasonal customs in which an “acorn king” symbolized rustic authority or harvest rituals. Executed in black ink with delicate line work, the drawing showcases Brandenberg’s skill at conveying lively movement and characte...