De Reuk (The Sense of Smell) - Salomon Savery

A satirical Dutch Golden Age etching by Salomon Savery, depicting a humorous and literal interpretation of the sense of smell.

This etching, titled De Reuk (The Sense of Smell), is part of a series depicting the five senses by the Dutch artist Salomon Savery. The work employs a satirical and earthy tone typical of seventeenth-century Dutch genre art. It portrays a domestic scene where a man is disciplining a child, while a dog investigates a pile of excrement on the floor. This juxtaposition serves as a literal and humorous interpretation of the sense of smell.

Savery uses precise, cross-hatched lines to define the figures and the textures of their clothing. The composition is grounded in a simple, sparse setting, focusing the viewer's attention on the interaction between the figures and the animal. The artist captures a moment of everyday life, albeit one that leans into the grotesque and the comedic. The inclusion of the dog and the specific subject matter reflects the period's interest in moralising allegories, often presented through low-life subjects or common occurrences.

As a printmaker, Savery was active in Amsterdam and contributed to the dissemination of these allegorical themes through his technical skill in etching. The work demonstrates the artist's ability to render human expression and physical form with economy and clarity. The print is marked with the artist's monogram and a number, indicating its place within a larger set. This piece offers a glimpse into the cultural preoccupations of the Dutch Golden Age, where the five senses were frequently explored through both high-minded and base imagery. The print remains a clear example of how printmaking allowed for the circulation of such narratives among a broader audience, blending artistic technique with the social observations of the time.