Schetsblad met studies van varkens in het wilde zwijnspark in Artis 1821 - 1891

This is a pencil drawing by Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen, titled ‘Schetsblad met studies van varkens in het wilde zwijnspark in Artis’ – or ‘Sketch sheet with studies of pigs in the wild boar park in Artis.’ The composition is a fascinating array of studies, focusing primarily on the corpulent forms of resting pigs. The artist employs delicate, light lines, focusing more on capturing the essence of shape and volume rather than precise detail. Notice how the pigs are rendered in various poses, overlapping and intersecting in a way that suggests both depth and the spontaneity of observation. The use of hatching and cross-hatching provides a subtle tonal range. What is most striking about this work is its fragmentary nature, a sketch rather than a finished composition. It invites us to consider the process of artistic creation, where initial ideas and studies hold their own aesthetic value, distinct from that of a completed piece. The lines remain open, suggesting a constant state of becoming and reflecting the artist's immediate engagement with his subject.