To grise 1600 - 1653

Simon de Vlieger created this etching, “To Grise”, at an unknown date with etching. In the Dutch Golden Age, artists like de Vlieger weren't just painting portraits of the wealthy; they were capturing everyday life. This seemingly simple scene of pigs resting becomes a window into the complex relationship between humans and animals, and between the wealthy and the working class. The detailed rendering elevates the status of these farm animals. What does it mean to depict animals with such care during a time of great social stratification? Consider how the Dutch landscape and its agricultural economy shaped the era's artistic sensibilities. What do you think of when considering how class and commerce intersect in the art world? I wonder, what does it mean to find beauty and worth in the mundane, in the animals that sustained a nation?