Artwork
Ecorche drawing of the head and upper body of a wild cat
Ecorche drawing of the head and upper body of a wild cat is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Edwin Landseer. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This drawing depicts the head and upper body of a wild cat in écorché, revealing underlying muscles and bones.
About this work
Overview
This drawing depicts the head and upper body of a wild cat in écorché, revealing underlying muscles and bones. Created by Edwin Landseer between 1817 and 1821, it demonstrates the artist's early dedication to understanding animal anatomy through meticulous study.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a wild cat, is rendered in écorché to illustrate Landseer's focus on anatomical accuracy, crucial for his future work in animal painting. This study reflects his goal to capture the true structure and movement of animals.
Technique & Style
The drawing employs cross-hatching, a technique Landseer likely refined through his studies, to achieve detailed, layered representations of the cat's musculature and skeletal system.
History & Provenance
One of eight anatomical dog and cat studies by Landseer in the V&A collection, this work dates from the artist's teenage years (1817-1821), preceding his rise as a prominent Victorian artist.
Context
Landseer's creation of this piece was influenced by his anatomy classes with Sir Charles Bell and his observations of live animals at Polito's Menagerie in London, combining scientific study with artistic practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was an English painter and sculptor, well known for his paintings of animals – particularly horses, dogs, and stags. His best-known work is the lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
