Wild varken 1635 - 1654

Paulus Potter sketched this ‘Wild Boar’ sometime in the mid-17th century using graphite. Potter was a Dutch artist known for his pastoral scenes which often featured animals. During the Dutch Golden Age, the rising merchant class saw an increase in wealth and the desire to display their status through art. Animal paintings became popular, reflecting a society that was both prosperous and deeply connected to the natural world. Potter excelled in this genre, capturing the essence and even the individuality of animals. This sketch, though simple, is a testament to his keen observation skills. The boar, with its bristled back and powerful stance, is rendered with a remarkable sense of presence. Potter’s choice to focus on such a creature speaks to a broader cultural interest in the raw, untamed aspects of nature. It invites us to consider our relationship with the animal kingdom. How do we perceive wildness? And what does it mean to capture it on paper?