Een zittende hond, zich ontlastend, van opzij en van achteren gezien 1589 - 1657

Editor: So, this drawing is called "A seated dog relieving itself, seen from the side and from behind," created by Frans Snijders sometime between 1589 and 1657. It's a pencil drawing on paper, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The subject is rather…uninhibited. What strikes you most about it? Curator: I find Snijders’ choice of subject fascinating. In the 17th century, representing such a private act challenges prevailing social norms. What does it say about the artist’s gaze and the representation of animals, especially domestic ones, within a patriarchal system? Were dogs like these luxury symbols or were they working dogs? Editor: I hadn't considered the social implications. The dog seems so vulnerable in this candid depiction, devoid of any idealized grandeur. It looks so casual! Curator: Precisely. The vulnerability is key. Snijders invites us to confront the often-overlooked realities of animal existence. Do you think there is an act of anthropomorphizing these animals that is similar to how women of color have been portrayed as base beings? Editor: That’s a strong comparison, I’ll have to think about that further! This quick sketch becomes quite a potent statement, really. Curator: Exactly! It compels us to examine our relationship with the non-human world, pushing against hierarchical structures present both in the artistic representation and social treatment of the depicted subject. Editor: I see that now. I’ll definitely remember this piece when exploring similar themes. Curator: And I'll consider it again as I examine Dutch Golden Age social art, as a work to add to future museum activist programs.