Varkens die spinnen, 1673 1673 - 1674

This 1673 etching titled "Varkens die spinnen," or "Pigs Spinning," presents us with an intriguing allegorical scene rendered in stark lines and textures. The composition is structured around a central spinning wheel, flanked by anthropomorphic pigs engaged in various stages of textile production. The artist uses the repetitive, almost rhythmic lines to create textures that define the figures and objects within the scene. Look at the detailed rendering of the pigs' bristly fur, and compare it to the smooth surfaces of the spinning tools. The artwork challenges established meanings through its inversion of natural order. By depicting pigs, traditionally symbols of gluttony and ignorance, performing the sophisticated task of spinning, the artist destabilizes conventional hierarchies. This disruption invites us to question fixed roles. The image doesn't seek to offer a singular truth. It's an open field of interpretation, where the act of seeing and thinking becomes an active, continuous process.