Two Pig Heads c. 17th century

Editor: This is Cornelis Saftleven's drawing, "Two Pig Heads." I find the starkness of the drawing, just these two heads, quite unsettling. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious subject matter? Curator: The pig, often associated with gluttony and ignorance, carries a rich symbolic weight. In Saftleven’s time, such imagery might have evoked moralizing themes, a vanitas perhaps, reminding viewers of mortality and earthly failings. Does the rendering style add another layer of meaning? Editor: Yes, the sharp lines feel almost clinical, not sentimental at all. Curator: Precisely. This cold detachment perhaps amplifies the underlying message about human nature. It's fascinating how simple sketches can hold so much cultural reflection. Editor: I never considered the pig's symbolism so deeply. Thanks for pointing that out!