Twee konijnen 1862 - 1930

This etching titled 'Twee konijnen' – or 'Two Rabbits' – was created by Herman Johannes van der Weele, a Dutch artist active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Dutch art and culture, the representation of animals was often laden with symbolic meaning, reflecting broader social and moral values. Rabbits, for instance, could symbolize vulnerability, innocence, or even fertility, depending on the context. The sentimental rendering of these rabbits taps into a history of the Netherlands as an agricultural nation. There’s a certain pastoral ideal at play here. Van der Weele’s intimate portrayal seems to capture the quiet simplicity of rural life. At the same time, his close attention to detail elevates these ordinary creatures. By portraying these rabbits with such care, van der Weele asks us to consider our relationship with the natural world, and to appreciate the beauty and dignity of all living beings.