Liggend rund

About this artwork

hoogte 111 mm x breedte 158 mm

Art Historical Context

"Liggend rund" is a delicate pen drawing created by David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin between 1750 and 1809. The work depicts a recumbent cow, rendered with fine, precise lines that capture the animal’s relaxed posture and natural form. Measuring just 111 by 158 millimeters, the drawing’s intimate scale suggests it may have served as a preparatory study or a personal sketch rather than a finished exhibition piece. Executed solely in pen, the medium highlights the artist’s skill in conveying texture and volume through economical strokes. Such drawings were common in the eighteenth century, when artists frequently turned to rural subjects to explore anatomy and movement. The compact format invites close viewing, rewarding attention to subtle details like the curve of the animal’s back and the gentle shading that brings the scene to life. As a modest yet evocative work, "Liggend rund" offers a glimpse into the quiet observation of everyday life that characterized much graphic art of the period. Its survival in this small format underscores the enduring appeal of animal studies as both artistic exercises and charming records of the natural world.

About the Artist

David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin · 1740–1809

Baron David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin (1740–1809) was a Swiss draughtsman and painter who combined artistic pursuits with diplomatic service, spending significant portions of his life in Paris while serving as secretary to the Prussian ambassador. Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 1740, Sandoz-Rollin pursued the dual career of diplomat and artist that was not uncommon among educated European elit...