Studieblad met honden, paarden, geiten en een hert 1849 - 1895

Willem Koekkoek made this study sheet of dogs, horses, goats, and a deer with pen and ink in the Netherlands in the nineteenth century. These sketches are preparatory studies of animals that he would later include in his paintings. In the nineteenth century, the Dutch art world began to establish its own artistic traditions, often through academies and other institutions that supported the development of artists' technical skills and artistic expression. Sketchbooks and study sheets were a crucial part of that development. They were opportunities for artists to hone their skills and to study the natural world around them. This study is a window into the artistic process and a testament to the role of institutions in shaping artistic practice in the Netherlands. The work embodies the idea of art as a product of rigorous training and careful observation. By studying his sketchbooks, we can gain a richer understanding of both the artist and the cultural context in which they lived and worked.