Twee vrouwen met een kaketoe en een hondje die ruziën 1694 - 1766

This drawing was made by Matthijs Balen in the 18th century using pen in brown and gray. We see two figures rendered with a masterful control of line and wash. The scene is dynamic: one woman is seated holding a small dog, the other stands, gesturing emphatically towards a caged cockatoo. The composition pivots on the tension between these figures. Note how Balen uses the cage to create a visual barrier, enhancing the sense of conflict. The use of brown ink wash gives depth and volume, while the sparse application emphasizes the stark emotional interplay. Balen’s choice to depict this domestic discord speaks to a broader engagement with social and interpersonal dynamics. The linear precision combined with expressive shading reflects a tension between formal control and emotional release, mirroring the characters' conflict and inviting us to consider how such tensions play out in our own lives. This dynamic composition, executed with careful detail, makes it a compelling study in human and animal interaction.