Liggende hond 1828

Anthonie Willem Hendrik Nolthenius de Man created this understated drawing of a dog using pen on paper. The composition is deceptively simple: a dog is lying down on a roughly rendered patch of ground, presented in a semi-circular vignette. The dog's form is delineated with precise, closely-spaced lines that create a strong sense of volume and texture, emphasizing its muscular physique and the texture of its coat. Nolthenius de Man’s technique creates a rich interplay of light and shadow, bringing depth to the image. The cross-hatching and varied line weights lend a tactile quality, almost inviting you to reach out and touch the dog. The lack of background focuses our attention on the animal. It is this interplay between the subject and its formal representation that elevates the drawing beyond mere depiction, inviting us to consider the nature of form itself. Through careful observation, the artist offers not just an image of a dog, but a meditation on the very essence of form and representation.