Vos (Reinaert), beer (Bruun), kat (Tybeert) en raaf (Tiecelijn) bij galg c. 1910

Bernard Willem Wierink made this ink drawing, "Vos (Reinaert), beer (Bruun), kat (Tybeert) en raaf (Tiecelijn) bij galg," but we don't know exactly when. It depicts a scene of animals at a gallows. The image creates meaning through visual codes relating to Northern European folktales, with animal characters that represent human types, and historical associations, the gallows evoking a time of harsh justice. It's interesting to consider that the Netherlands, where Wierink was working, had a strong tradition of social critique and art. The tradition of animal fables can be traced back to the medieval period, where these stories often served as a way to satirize the powerful or comment on social issues. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing now resides, plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of Dutch history and culture. The presence of this drawing in its collection suggests its importance in understanding the visual culture of the Netherlands. To understand this piece better, we might research the history of Dutch folklore, the representation of animals in art, and the social function of satire. Art, in this sense, is not just about aesthetics, but about how people in a particular time and place understood their world.