Het varken 1894 - 1959

This is a print called ‘Het Varken’ made by Gordinne. It depicts two pigs in pale, earthy tones with a building behind them and a shovel discarded to one side. I’m drawn to the way the artist uses a limited colour palette to evoke the rustic scene. There’s a soft, almost muted quality to the colours that suggests a certain nostalgia, or perhaps a longing for a simpler, more pastoral life. The pigs appear as though they are caught in a moment of quiet contemplation, their forms rendered with a gentle hand. It’s as if the artist wanted to capture the essence of these creatures, their very being, rather than merely create a representational image. I think of other artists such as George Stubbs who also painted animals. There is an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time. The charm of this print lies in its unpretentious simplicity, inviting us to pause and reflect on the beauty that can be found in the ordinary.