Hazenpootje 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard made this drawing of a rabbit's foot in the late 18th or early 19th century, likely in the Netherlands. It is rendered in meticulous detail with graphite on paper. The image creates meaning through its stark presentation. We must consider the cultural references of this period: The Netherlands was undergoing significant social and political upheaval, caught between Enlightenment ideals and traditional structures. Images of animals were often laden with symbolic meaning. Is this drawing a commentary on the fleeting nature of life? Perhaps it critiques the institutions of art, suggesting beauty can be found in the mundane. Or is it a memento mori of a creature hunted for sport? To better understand this artwork, we can delve into the archives, exploring the social and political climate, exhibition histories, and the artist’s biography. This will give us insight into the role of art as something contingent on its social and institutional context.