Varkens in een hok 1876 - 1877

Willem Cornelis Rip sketched these pigs in a pen using graphite on paper. It’s a quick study, not a finished work, and the artist is clearly interested in the animals’ mass and volume. Rip’s use of graphite, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, allows for the swift capture of form and texture. The varying pressure of the pencil creates a sense of depth and shadow, giving the pigs a palpable presence. The sketchiness of the lines adds to the immediacy, as though Rip were trying to capture a fleeting moment. In its own way, this drawing connects to the wider social context of agrarian life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The pigs are rendered with respect and careful observation, reflecting a deep understanding of the rural economy and landscape. It's a reminder that even a humble sketch can offer insights into the labor, politics, and consumption that shape our world.