Staande ezel, naar rechts 1713 - 1770

Curator: Here we have a pencil drawing by Francois Boucher, created sometime between 1713 and 1770, titled "Standing Donkey, facing right". It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: There's a certain humility to this work. A stillness. It makes you think about labor, about service, about the quiet dignity in ordinary lives. I notice that the shading creates soft fur and muscle definition with delicate, feathery pencil strokes. Curator: Yes, Boucher, despite his Rococo associations with idealized pastoral scenes, often grounded his work in close observation of nature and the realities of rural life. His drawings of animals were integral to his practice, forming the basis of larger compositions and studies. How might we think about this through a critical lens? Editor: Looking at this "Standing Donkey," it strikes me that the depiction isn't just a benign portrait. It evokes questions of power and exploitation. In its time, the donkey was a beast of burden, essential yet undervalued. Boucher, by singling it out for artistic attention, gives visibility to a traditionally marginalized figure. Curator: Absolutely. Consider, too, the politics of representation within the Rococo era, with its patronage from the aristocracy and its tendency to romanticize the countryside. Boucher’s depiction challenges, albeit subtly, that art's aesthetic order by focusing on a mundane animal rather than the aristocratic sitters and their pleasure. Editor: The texture in this piece, crafted only by pencils, has much to do with its timeless, universally touching qualities. We are not blinded by gold and glamour. Curator: Yes, and the deliberate choice of medium speaks volumes. A pencil drawing in a period known for grand paintings and sculptures offers a more intimate perspective, bringing us closer to both the artist's process and the animal itself. It reflects the intersection between man, animal, work and value. Editor: Precisely. I think we find it moving for these reasons. We look for these interconnections. Curator: Seeing this pencil work truly allows a connection to a humble life, one whose story goes unacknowledged. It makes this quick sketch worthy of deep consideration.