Wolf verleidt eenden en kippen c. 1563 - 1583

Curator: Oh, look, "Wolf verleidt eenden en kippen" or, in English, “Wolf Seducing Ducks and Chickens,” from around 1563-1583. I think it is delightful, yet full of sinister undercurrents. This busy little drawing is currently held in the Rijksmuseum and, looking at it, you might be fooled into thinking you were about to see a peaceful genre scene! Editor: It's incredibly detailed. It’s made of tiny lines in a busy landscape, it’s hard to know where to look! The wolf figures are fascinating, so close to humans, but still beastly! Is it meant to be comical? Curator: Perhaps it is! Look closer. Conrad Saldörffer is not merely presenting a comedic tale of animals; it seems to be an allegory of sorts, you might even read the image as political commentary. Note the fox following the wolf… like an apprentice! Are there ways we see our contemporary world, echoed in these characters and environments? Editor: Oh, I hadn’t considered that. A political allegory, you mean? Like… the wolf representing a ruler taking advantage of the innocent—the ducks and chickens? It’s fascinating to consider. And that tiny fox in the background, could this image suggest advisors enabling their masters? Curator: Exactly! Or maybe corruption, the deceit used to maintain power. What seems to me is an expression, through imagery, about morality! The artist isn't just showing us farmyard fun; I would like to see this drawing expressing how things are when people behave at their worst. Wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely, that completely reframes how I see the work. Before, it seemed like just a cute animal scene, but now, with that political context… Curator: Yes! We can begin to grasp the social commentary this seemingly simplistic sketch really embodies, its playful air serving as a veil. Editor: I will certainly view art from that era differently after this. Looking beyond the immediate surface of an image really opens a new doorway.