Artwork

Drawing of an Elephant

Drawing of an Elephant is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work is an example of animal art that specifically depicts an Asian elephant. Created around 1700 by an unknown artist, the painting focuses entirely on this single subject. The available records identify the creature portrayed but do not provide further details regarding specific iconographic traditions, symbolic meanings, or broader representational intentions associated with the image.

History & Provenance

No information about the original commission, earlier ownership chain, or circumstances of its acquisition is documented in the available sources.

Drawing of an Elephant is dated to 1700, establishing its creation in the early eighteenth century. The work is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as accession number 1969.65, indicating that it entered the museum's holdings in 1969. No information about the original commission, earlier ownership chain, or circumstances of its acquisition is documented in the available sources.

Overview

This artwork, titled Drawing of an Elephant, presents a monochromatic depiction of the large mammal. Rendered in a simple, direct manner, the image focuses on the animal's form. The elephant is shown in profile, its posture suggesting a momentary pause.

The artist's attention to detail is evident in the rendering of its physical characteristics, making it a study of the creature itself.

Technique & Style

Executed as a black-and-white drawing, the piece highlights the artist's skill in rendering form and surface detail. The composition emphasizes the elephant's overall shape and the tactile quality of its skin, particularly through the depiction of wrinkles. The careful application of lines defines specific features such as the tusks and tail, contributing to a handmade aesthetic. This approach underscores a deliberate study of the animal's anatomy and texture.