Vier dieren 1848 - 1884

August Allebé made this study of four animals with a pencil on paper. Although undated, the drawing was likely made in the late nineteenth century. Allebé's careful attention to detail and anatomical accuracy places him in a tradition of academic realism. In the Netherlands at this time, the Royal Zoological Society Natura Artis Magistra was a leading cultural and scientific institution, that possessed one of the first zoos in the Netherlands. This drawing raises interesting questions about the public role of art and the politics of imagery. Was Allebé making studies for a larger painting, or were these drawings made to record the exotic creatures of the Dutch empire? What was the purpose of recording animals in such minute detail? By considering the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands, we can better understand the meaning and significance of this drawing. Historians might consult exhibition reviews, zoological society records, and other primary sources to shed light on Allebé's artistic practice and its place in Dutch society.