Staand waterend varken, naar rechts 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard rendered this drawing of a pig, in pen, around the turn of the 19th century. The pig, collared and chained, stands in grass and urinates. Bernard was working during a time of shifting agricultural practices and evolving relationships between humans and animals. The drawing provides a glimpse into the everyday life of livestock, reflecting both their utility and their constrained existence. The pig is presented with a degree of naturalism, yet also with a hint of vulnerability, emphasized by the chain around its neck. Consider the power dynamics at play. The leashed animal serves as a reminder of human dominance over the natural world. The drawing captures a moment of both intimacy and distance. What does it mean to witness such a private act by an animal so closely tied to human survival and economy? This piece invites reflection on the complex interconnections between society, animals, and the environment.