Twee konijnen knabbelend aan bladeren 1809 - 1859

Pieter de Goeje made this drawing of two rabbits nibbling on leaves sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It presents a detailed study of animal anatomy and behavior. The Netherlands in this period experienced significant social and economic changes, including the decline of its colonial power and the rise of a bourgeois society. Visual arts began to reflect the values and interests of this emerging middle class. Drawings and prints like this one catered to a growing market for accessible and affordable art. These works often depicted scenes of everyday life, landscapes, and natural history subjects. De Goeje's precise rendering of the rabbits and their environment speaks to an increasing interest in naturalism and scientific observation. Understanding the social and institutional context of 19th-century Dutch art requires that we examine exhibition records, art criticism, and archival documents to better understand the market forces that shaped artistic production and reception. This close attention to art’s social history reveals the complex interplay between art, culture, and society.