Kop van een wild varken 1635 - 1654

Paulus Potter captured this study of a wild boar’s head with pen and brush in the mid-17th century, a time when the Dutch Golden Age was flourishing. Potter, celebrated for his animal paintings, presents us with more than just a portrait; he offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Consider the identity of the wild boar, a creature often associated with both wildness and the hunt. Potter’s decision to isolate the animal’s head invites us to contemplate its fate and the broader implications of human dominance over nature. Is it a trophy? Or is it a symbol of something else? The intimacy of the sketch evokes a sense of empathy, urging us to reflect on our connection to the animal kingdom and the ethical dimensions of our interactions with other species.