Liggend varken c. 1657 - 1761

"Liggend varken" (Lying Pig) is an etching by Dutch artist Marcus de Bye, dating back to c. 1657-1761. This small, detailed print, measuring just 115 mm in height and 147 mm in width, depicts a pig lying in a field. The pig’s form is realistically rendered, with meticulous attention to its fur and anatomy. The composition is simple yet effective, with the pig positioned in the foreground, a broken fence to the left, and a distant landscape with a small church in the background. This artwork, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is an example of de Bye’s skill as a draughtsman and printmaker, showcasing his ability to capture the natural world with precision and detail.