Nature #313 Rien Poortvliet (1932-1995)

The drawing presents two horses in a moment of quiet intimacy. A larger horse stands prominently on the left side of the composition, its form rendered with careful attention to musculature and skeletal structure. Beside it, a smaller foal presses close, nuzzling against the adult’s neck. The artist has employed a monochromatic palette, relying solely on tonal variations to define shape and volume.
The rendering style suggests a focus on realism; however, the lack of color contributes to an overall sense of austerity and timelessness. Hatching and cross-hatching are utilized extensively to build up shading, creating a palpable texture across the animals’ coats. The artists hand is evident in the deliberate strokes that delineate the contours of their bodies.
The composition itself is simple yet evocative. The horses occupy nearly the entire frame, emphasizing their presence and importance within the scene. Their postures convey a sense of calm and connection; the foal’s dependence on the adult suggests themes of protection, nurture, and familial bonds. The placement of the animals against an unadorned background directs attention solely to them, amplifying the emotional resonance of their interaction.
A signature, New Forest, appears in the upper right corner, hinting at a possible connection to a specific breed or location. This detail adds another layer of potential interpretation, inviting consideration of regional identity and heritage within the context of the artwork. The overall effect is one of quiet observation, capturing a fleeting moment of natural beauty and conveying a sense of profound serenity.