Been van een paard 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen sketched 'Been van een paard', or 'Leg of a Horse', with graphite on paper. Derkinderen came of age during a time when the Netherlands was reckoning with its national identity. Derkinderen was deeply engaged in the revival of Dutch art and culture. He sought to create a national art that reflected the spirit and character of the Dutch people. He drew inspiration from Dutch folklore and history, aiming to represent the essence of the Netherlands. This sketch shows Derkinderen's attention to detail, and his emotional connection to the subject. It feels like a study in the dignity of labor. The drawing serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked contributions and experiences of working-class individuals, and the lives of animals who worked alongside them. Derkinderen invites viewers to reconsider traditional narratives of Dutch identity and to recognize the value and importance of everyday lives.