Hunde, der parrer sig 1642

Editor: Here we have "Dogs Mating," an etching by Joannes Fijt from 1642. The image, rendered in stark black and white, depicts exactly what the title suggests – two dogs, very busy. It’s surprisingly… unromantic, almost clinical. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: Unromantic, clinical – I love that! For me, it’s about capturing a raw, vital energy. The baroque loved the dramatic, the energetic. Fijt wasn't just painting pretty pictures. He was looking into the animal soul. The immediacy of the etching perfectly suits the subject, don't you think? It bypasses sentimentality, it’s right there in the lines, almost like primal instincts. Are we observers, or part of the picture? Editor: That's a provocative thought! It makes me wonder if it's just a crude portrayal or something more? It's interesting, I also note how the surrounding nature is seemingly unfazed by this rather graphic display. Curator: Precisely! It is very matter of fact. Fijt had some wit. Is there perhaps a satire on humanity tucked away, where we pretend refinement yet harbour less decorous urges? Or is it merely the honest capturing of our connection to, our inescapable membership within the wider, wilder kingdom? Editor: A little food for thought, that’s for sure! Thanks to your insights, I see more complexity in those quick strokes now. It's definitely a piece that sticks with you. Curator: That is the power of great art. Even if it’s of dogs. There is often something worth investigating.