Liggende hond Possibly 1849

H.P.M. de Bel created this diminutive piece, "Liggende hond," likely with needlepoint on perforated cardstock, framed by delicate lace. The immediate impression is one of quaint domesticity, a miniature world crafted with careful precision. The composition is rigidly geometric, dominated by the grid of the needlepoint canvas. Yet, within this structure, the artist depicts a resting dog, a subject traditionally associated with loyalty and comfort. What interests me is the tension between the medium's inherent rigidity and the organic form it represents. The dog’s posture, seemingly relaxed, is rendered through a series of tightly controlled stitches, a paradox that invites deeper consideration. The use of cross-stitch is not merely decorative; it imposes a system of signs, where each stitch functions as a coded mark contributing to the overall image. It is through this deliberate act of encoding and decoding that "Liggende hond" engages with broader ideas about representation, challenging us to reconsider the interplay between form and content.