Sketch of Horse and Dog n.d.

"Sketch of Horse and Dog" is a red chalk drawing by Dutch artist Dirk Valkenburg, dating back to the early 18th century. The sketch, currently housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, features a reclining dog and a horse in the background, seemingly sketched for anatomical study. Valkenburg's loose and gestural lines capture the movement and form of the animals with a sense of immediacy, highlighting his keen eye for detail. This type of preparatory drawing, known as a "study," was common practice for artists of the time, as it helped them to refine their skills and understand the complexities of the human and animal form.