Artwork
Skull of a feline
Skull of a feline is a drawing by H.G, Wetselaar. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Leiden University Libraries. Created in 1963 by H.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1963 by H.G. Wetselaar, this monochrome illustration depicts a feline skull in strict profile. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as a study of animal anatomy rather than a decorative piece.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a single animal skull, its jaw slightly ajar to expose the incisors, canines and molars, while the empty orbital cavities emphasize the skeletal structure. By isolating the skull, the artist invites contemplation of the biological form and the underlying anatomy that supports the living creature.
Technique & Style
Wetselaar employed smooth, gradated shading to model the curvature of bone and the depth of the eye sockets, avoiding cross‑hatching or heavy line work. The restraint of line and the careful modulation of tone create a three‑dimensional effect, highlighting each ridge and hollow with precise, almost clinical accuracy.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in the early 1960s, a period when scientific illustration was often used to complement ethnographic research. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings shortly after its completion, where it has remained as part of the institution’s visual documentation of fauna.
Artist & collection
Artist
H.G. Wetselaar spent his days hunched over microscopes in a quiet Leiden lab, sketching what most people ignore. His pencil caught the raw architecture of bodies we pretend are smooth—like the knotted muscles of a…
