Two Boys with a Puppy 1651 - 1658

"Two Boys with a Puppy" is a black chalk drawing by Cornelis Visscher, a Dutch artist, created sometime between 1651 and 1658. The drawing, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, depicts two young boys, one seated with a puppy in his arms, while the other boy sits behind him reaching out to pet the puppy. The intimate portrayal of childhood innocence and interaction with animals was a popular subject matter in Dutch art, and Visscher's skillful use of black chalk creates a sense of warmth and tenderness in this small-scale study.