Slapende hond, mogelijk een spaniël 1660 - 1693

Editor: Here we have a print from between 1660 and 1693 by Jan Verkolje I, titled "Slapende hond, mogelijk een spaniël" or "Sleeping dog, possibly a spaniel." It's an etching and it's, well, quite adorable. It's got a real sense of peace to it. What stands out to you when you look at this piece? Curator: Peace is certainly one way to put it, I feel as though Verkolje has created a small pocket of tranquility amidst, perhaps, the chaos of 17th-century life. Look at the almost velvet quality he achieves with simple lines – the curl of the fur, the relaxed paws. Do you get the sense that he knew this dog well? That this wasn’t just *a* spaniel, but *his* spaniel? Editor: Yes! The way he captures the light makes it feel so personal. Almost like a snapshot. What is it about Dutch Golden Age art that makes it feel so intimate, even with animals as subjects? Curator: Ah, that’s the magic, isn’t it? They found the extraordinary in the ordinary. It’s the celebration of domesticity, of quiet observation. Verkolje wasn't just depicting a dog; he was capturing a moment, an emotion. A silent bond, wouldn’t you agree? That is why it speaks to us so deeply. There’s something fundamentally human in recognizing this companionship. Editor: I think you’re spot on. It’s interesting to consider that connection we still have today. Thank you for sharing that. Curator: My pleasure, it made me reflect once again on the timeless language of art.