The Dog Anatomy Lesson - SOLD
Richard Mudariki (b 1985)
The Dog Anatomy Lesson - 2011
Acrylic on canvas
61 x 91 cm
Signed and dated bottom left
Sold - 2011
This work was inspired by the famous 1632 oil painting by Rembrandt, titled ‘The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp’, in which Dr Tulp, as official City Anatomist, explains the musculature of the arm to medical professionals of the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons. The concept of dissecting a subject in an effort to learn and understand more of its functions, becomes a metaphor for the suits, or those in charge, analysing their constituency in a dog-eat-dog world. There is, however, a striking difference here – the marked-up dog subject is alive and well, challenging its audience of dog-like personae. A possible interpretation of this scenario could be the analysis of society by the ruling elite in an effort to determine the best strategy to divide and rule.