Enkele vluchtige studies van een hond 1821 - 1891

This is Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen’s ‘Enkele vluchtige studies van een hond’, or ‘Several fleeting studies of a dog’. During the 19th century, as social structures shifted, so did relationships with animals. Dogs transitioned from working animals to companions, reflecting changing societal values and class structures. Van der Brugghen's sketches offer an intimate glimpse into this evolving dynamic. The dog is not presented as a symbol of labor or status, but rather, the focus lies on capturing its essence. Each sketch, rapidly rendered, conveys a sense of movement and emotion. The subtle nuances in the dog's posture—the tilt of its head, the curve of its back—hint at a deeper connection between artist and subject. What do we make of these fleeting images? They evoke questions about the nature of companionship, and the ways in which we seek to understand and connect with creatures outside our own species.