Hond met twee puppy's 1892 - 1947

This small pen drawing of a dog with two puppies was made by Gijsbertus Johannes van Overbeek. It's all in line, with a focus on the playful interactions between the animals. I love how the quick, scratchy lines bring the scene to life! The way the artist uses varied line weights to define form and texture is really something. Look at how the dark, dense hatching describes the shadows on the mama dog, versus the light, airy strokes that suggest the fluffiness of the puppies. The drawing is not overworked but alive. The posture of the mother, with her paw extended, seems to be both protective and playful, which really gives the piece a sense of narrative. It reminds me a little bit of how Picasso would capture the essence of a subject with just a few, well-placed lines. Art’s just an ongoing conversation across time.