Varken 1632 - 1678

Editor: So, this is Karel du Jardin’s "Varken," likely created sometime between 1632 and 1678. It's a charcoal and pencil sketch of…well, a pig. It strikes me as both simple and incredibly detailed. There’s a real weight to the animal, even in just a few strokes. What captures your attention in this piece? Curator: Oh, everything, really! But if I had to choose... it’s the way du Jardin captures the essence of “pig-ness," isn’t it? That purposeful stride, the curly tail, the snout that suggests constant foraging… It’s a genre painting, a slice of life! What do you make of its almost stark realism, contrasting it to maybe a more glorified depiction? Editor: I think the realism makes it relatable. There's no romanticising, which is refreshing. Curator: Exactly! The Dutch Golden Age had a fascination with portraying life as it *was*. He sees the beauty and worth in something so everyday. I see something almost humble in that approach, and maybe something a little funny too. What do you make of the implied movement? Editor: It definitely feels like the pig is in motion, searching for something. Almost gives it a sense of purpose, doesn't it? It shows how a simple subject can hold depth. Curator: Precisely! It invites you to consider this creature's life beyond the page, and how our own lives are maybe reflected there, too. Editor: This has really given me a new appreciation for genre painting and its subtleties. Thank you. Curator: And for me, a reminder that sometimes the greatest art lies in observing the everyday with a touch of humour.