Zwijnenjacht 1800 - 1841

Joannes Bemme made this detailed drawing of a boar hunt, probably in the early 19th century, with graphite on paper. You can see the careful, precise linework that brings the scene to life. But what’s equally interesting is the grid that underlies the composition. Bemme likely used this to transfer the image to another surface, perhaps a larger painting or even a printmaking plate. This reveals a fascinating aspect of artistic production at the time: the reliance on skilled labor and systematic methods. The grid allowed for accurate scaling and replication, essential for commercial art. The drawing is also a window into social hierarchies. Hunting was a pastime of the wealthy, a visual assertion of power over both nature and the working classes. The drawing itself, though seemingly simple, is the product of both artistic skill and a structured system of production. So, next time you look at a drawing, consider not just the image, but the labor, the tools, and the social context that brought it into being.