Hond, staand op een stoel 1884 - 1952

This woodcut print by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries features a dog standing on a chair. I imagine the artist carving into the wood block, thinking about the sharp, angular form of the dog, its alert posture, and the stark contrast between light and shadow. You get a sense of how the artist really dug into the material, because you can feel the physicality of the cutting process. Look at the bold, vertical lines of the backdrop and the solid form of the dog, how their shape and weight create a feeling of tension and anticipation. I wonder what the dog is looking at? What is he barking at? It makes me think about other artists who have explored similar themes of animal behavior and the relationship between humans and animals. This piece feels connected to a long history of artists using printmaking to capture moments of everyday life and imbue them with meaning. Ultimately, this print is an example of how artists can transform simple materials into powerful and evocative images, sparking curiosity and wonder in the viewer.