Twee konijnen knabbelend aan bladeren 1809 - 1859

Pieter de Goeje created this captivating image of two rabbits nibbling leaves with pen in gray in the early to mid-19th century. The composition is structured around the contrast between the rounded forms of the rabbits and the angular lines of the surrounding foliage. De Goeje’s strategic use of shading and line work brings a sense of depth and realism to the scene. The rabbits are not merely depicted; their forms are built up through intricate cross-hatching and subtle gradations of tone, giving them a tactile presence on the page. This attention to form and texture invites a semiotic reading, where the visual elements act as signs pointing to broader cultural meanings of nature. The formal qualities of this piece serve not only aesthetic purposes but also engage with philosophical ideas about observation and representation. It encourages a continued dialogue on how we perceive, interpret, and assign meaning to the world around us.