Beer in een bak (Bear in a Tub) - Charles Howard Hodges

A detailed etching by Charles Howard Hodges showing a bear resting in a tub, rendered with fine lines and careful attention to texture.

This etching by Charles Howard Hodges depicts a bear confined within a tub, a subject that reflects the artist's interest in observational drawing and animal studies. Hodges, primarily known for his portraiture during his time in the Netherlands, demonstrates a different facet of his technical ability here. The work employs fine, precise lines to define the texture of the bear's fur and the solid form of the container. The animal is shown in a seated position, with its front paws resting over the edge of the tub, while a chain attached to its neck suggests its captive state. The background is minimal, focusing the viewer's attention entirely on the subject. The cross-hatching used to create shadow around the tub and the bear provides a sense of volume and weight to the composition. The artist's signature, C.H., is visible in the upper right corner of the plate. This piece is an example of the smaller, more informal works that artists of the period often produced alongside their formal commissions. It captures a moment of stillness, rendered with a directness that avoids unnecessary embellishment. The paper retains the character of a historical print, with the plate mark clearly visible, providing a sense of the physical process involved in its creation. As a study, it offers insight into the artist's hand and his approach to capturing form and texture through the medium of etching.