Studies van een jachthond 1886

Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen made this drawing of hunting dog studies with graphite. These studies tell us about the culture of hunting in the Netherlands during the 19th century. Hunting was not merely a sport; it was a social activity deeply entwined with class structures and land ownership. Images of hunting dogs, like this one, were popular because they reflected the values of the Dutch upper class, who had the resources and leisure time for such activities. The institutional history of art academies in the Netherlands played a role in this, as artists were often trained to depict scenes of nature and rural life with an emphasis on detail and realism. This artwork does not overtly critique the social structures of its time. Instead, it reflects the values and interests of a particular class within Dutch society. We need to look at sources such as hunting records, social histories, and art market data to fully understand the context in which this drawing was made and appreciated.