Twee honden 1654

Pauwels van Hillegaert created this etching of ‘Two Dogs’ sometime in the 17th century. The texture and form of the canine subjects is achieved through varied hatched lines. Notice how the light catches the smooth coat of the standing dog in contrast to the wiry fur of the seated dog. The composition of the dogs is an interesting study in how the artist uses formal elements to suggest a social hierarchy. The active, almost anxious, posture of the standing dog is juxtaposed against the relaxed composure of the seated dog. The placement of the seated dog under the implied shelter of the tree creates a semiotic code which suggests dominance. Consider how Hillegaert destabilizes traditional values through a formal treatment of form and line. Even in this relatively simple portrait of two animals, we can see reflections of broader cultural power structures.