Liggende dode haas Possibly 1818

Editor: Here we have Jean Bernard's "Liggende dode haas", or "Reclining Dead Hare," likely from 1818. It's a delicate pencil drawing at the Rijksmuseum. It's… unsettling. I'm struck by the quietness of the image, but also the rather blunt depiction of death. What's your perspective on this piece? Curator: Well, given the time, this work immediately calls to mind broader social contexts. Consider the power dynamics inherent in hunting practices of the period. Who had access to hunting, and what did that signify about their social standing? Was this study created for personal, or potentially public consumption? Editor: That's an interesting angle. I hadn’t considered the social implications of the subject itself. The detail seems quite refined for simply personal consumption, though. Curator: Exactly. Think about the cultural value placed on the natural world and its representation in art at the time. Depictions of animals, particularly in a still life manner, were often loaded with symbolic meaning related to mortality, vanitas, or even commentaries on humanity’s relationship with nature. How does this artwork engage with those established tropes? Editor: I guess I see the "vanitas" aspect much more clearly now, it is literally death, laid bare. Does the location in the Rijksmuseum influence how we perceive this work today? Curator: Undeniably. By being in the Rijksmuseum, "Reclining Dead Hare" moves away from hunting practices and gains legitimacy, highlighting cultural and art values. A seemingly simple pencil drawing becomes a poignant piece of history and artistry when seen through this lens. It encourages us to question who gets remembered and how, through what institutions. Editor: I've never really thought about museums having their own power in giving importance. I'll be chewing on this for a while, thanks! Curator: My pleasure, every work of art, like this hare, carries more meaning than meets the eye!