Growling Dog Ready to Pounce n.d.

Dirk Valkenburg made this sketch of a growling dog ready to pounce sometime between 1675 and 1721, using red chalk on paper. You see the marks of the chalk very clearly. Valkenburg worked with the material’s inherent qualities to create a sense of dynamism and energy. The chalk allowed him to build up the form of the dog with many layers of hatching, creating a sense of volume, movement, and texture. Though this may seem like a quick study, chalk drawings like this were crucial to the work of any Baroque painter. They honed their skills of observation and anatomy through endless hours of practice. So next time you see a grand history painting, remember that it would not have been possible without the skilled labor of the artist at the drawing board, mastering their materials and form. This intense process is often overlooked, but crucial to understanding the art of the period.