Zittende hond 1777

Cornelis Brouwer made this drawing of a seated dog sometime in the late 18th century. The materials are simple: paper and brown ink. What interests me is how Brouwer coaxes form from such humble means. Look closely at the paper, you can see its ribbed texture. It wasn’t made for art, but for some other mundane purpose. Perhaps the ink wasn’t either. The effect is to create a sense of provisionality, a fleeting impression. Brouwer’s skill is evident in the way he evokes the animal’s presence with minimal strokes. There’s a tenderness here too, a recognition of the everyday dignity of this creature. By embracing humble materials, Brouwer invites us to appreciate the beauty that can be found in the ordinary, challenging the traditional hierarchy between high art and the stuff of daily life.