Full Face of Cobra (1871) by John Ruskin

Full Face of Cobra - John Ruskin - 1871

Artwork Information

TitleFull Face of Cobra
ArtistJohn Ruskin
Date1871
Art MovementRomanticism

About Full Face of Cobra

Created in 1871, the artwork titled “Full Face of Cobra” is a distinguished piece by the artist John Ruskin, belonging to the Romanticism art movement and typified as a sketch and study. The artwork depicts the frontal view of a cobra, presumably captured in its expanded hood position, which is an instinctual defense posture meant to make the snake appear larger and more menacing to potential threats.

In the artwork, the cobra’s scales are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a range of tonal variations that hint at the texture and three-dimensional quality of the serpent’s skin. There is a sense of both immediacy and precision in Ruskin’s study, reflecting the Romantic era’s fascination with the natural world and its details. The utilization of light and dark contrasts emphasizes the cobra’s curved and coiled form, while the blank space surrounding the subject focuses the viewer’s attention solely on the snake, creating an imposing and singular presence.

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