Slapende hond c. 1887 - 1888

Willem Witsen made this pencil drawing, Slapende hond, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Witsen came from an upper-class background. He actively engaged with the art world of his time, particularly the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. Here, a dog is captured in repose, seemingly lost in slumber. In Western art, dogs often symbolize loyalty and companionship. But there can be other readings to be made here: the dog is at rest, perhaps suggesting a moment of quietude amidst the social changes of the time. Witsen was part of a generation grappling with questions of identity, class, and the rapidly modernizing world around them. Consider what it means to depict an animal at rest during times of social upheaval. Does it represent a yearning for simpler times, or perhaps a commentary on the human condition? This image, simple on the surface, invites us to reflect on the deeper connections between ourselves, the creatures around us, and the world we inhabit.