Vechtende honden 1606 - 1658

"Vechtende honden" ("Fighting Dogs"), a 17th-century etching by Pauwels van Hillegaert, depicts two dogs locked in a fierce struggle. The scene, rendered in meticulous detail, showcases Van Hillegaert's mastery of animal anatomy and dynamic movement. The dogs, with their snarling expressions and muscular bodies, embody the intensity and brutality of the fight. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age fascination with the natural world, capturing a moment of raw animal instinct.