Zittende en liggende hond 1777 - 1828

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have a delightful drawing by Cornelis Brouwer titled 'Zittende en liggende hond', or 'Sitting and Lying Dog' made sometime between 1777 and 1828. It's rendered in pencil, a medium that really captures a sense of immediacy. Editor: Aw, it’s utterly charming. Both dogs have such distinct moods. The seated one looks pensive, maybe even a bit melancholy, while the reclining dog appears supremely content in its nap. The use of such a simple material for the image conveys domestic life as unpretentiously lived and appreciated, and I just adore that! Curator: Yes, Brouwer really knew how to utilize the pencil's potential. If you look closely, you can see how he varies the pressure to create depth and texture, particularly in the dogs’ fur. Also, consider the availability of drawing materials like paper and pencils; it reflects the growth of a market catering to artistic pursuits beyond commissioned artwork during that era. This sheet may have served a number of preparatory purposes. Editor: Right! There’s a rawness and an energy. It's so sketch-like; that's what grabs you. The whole thing has this beautiful understated quality. Almost feels like capturing fleeting moments… that universal feeling of wanting to remember our animal companions and their goofy charms. Curator: Precisely! And think about the context: the rise of genre painting and its focus on everyday life. This drawing fits perfectly within that tradition, elevating a simple observation of domestic animals to an art form worthy of study and appreciation. This wasn't just art for the aristocracy, but something accessible to a growing middle class with new tastes and collecting habits. Editor: It’s the simple truth that’s presented. It’s tender, humorous. If this was a study for a painting, Brouwer nailed all the important feelings. So what’s my final feeling about all of this? Well I just want to snuggle them! Curator: And that is exactly what I am sure Brouwer was aiming to capture, a moment of universal animal joy that we could all experience.