Varkens 1636 - 1705

Editor: We're looking at "Varkens," or "Pigs," an etching, dating from 1636 to 1705. It's an anonymous work housed in the Rijksmuseum. What strikes me is the stark contrast between the domestic setting and the wildness of these pigs. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Oh, those porkers! This little scene, etched with such scratchy realism, throws open a window into a world both bucolic and brutal. You’ve got this humble cottage, right? And in the background, is that a church? Juxtapose that against these... unapologetically earthy hogs. The artist clearly saw beauty, or at least compelling subject matter, in the everyday. What does the presence of that little church on the horizon do for you? Editor: It adds another layer to the contrast, a kind of visual tension between the sacred and the profane. Were scenes like this common subjects in art at the time? Curator: Well, "common" is a strong word. Landscapes, yes, genre scenes, sure, and even farm animals had their moments. But this isn't idealized pastoral fluff. This is a peek at a real pigsty, warts and all – or rather, bristles and all! It reminds me a bit of some Rembrandt etchings – that raw humanity he managed to capture even in seemingly mundane subjects. Does the rough texture of the etching style match with the artwork's focus on crude nature? Editor: Definitely. The etching itself has a kind of rawness that reflects the subject. I guess what I am left with is a sense of how art can elevate even the most humble subjects. Curator: Precisely! It’s a reminder that beauty, or at least interest, can be found in the most unexpected corners, even in a gaggle of grubby hogs. I’ll never look at a bacon sandwich the same way again.