HOFFMANN Hans Squirrel German artists

The artwork presents a single animal subject – a squirrel – rendered with meticulous detail and a focus on naturalism. The creature is positioned in a dynamic pose, seemingly caught mid-action as it holds food within its forepaws. Its posture suggests an intentness focused entirely on the nourishment it possesses.
The artist’s skill is evident in the rendering of the squirrels fur; individual hairs are delineated with precision, creating a sense of tactile realism and volume. The color palette is dominated by warm earth tones – variations of brown and reddish-brown – which contribute to the animal’s lifelike appearance. Subtle gradations in tone suggest the play of light across its form, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the depiction.
The background is deliberately plain, a neutral expanse that serves to isolate and emphasize the subject. This lack of contextual detail directs the viewers attention entirely onto the squirrel itself, elevating it from a mere animal portrait to an object of intense scrutiny. The inscription at the lower left corner – a single letter followed by numerals – indicates the artist’s mark and likely the year of creation, anchoring the work within a specific historical timeframe.
Beyond its technical merits, the drawing invites contemplation on themes of sustenance and survival. The squirrels preoccupied focus on food can be interpreted as a representation of basic instincts and the constant need for provision in the natural world. It also hints at an appreciation for the beauty and complexity found within seemingly commonplace creatures. The artist’s choice to depict this animal with such fidelity suggests a desire not only to record its physical appearance but also to convey a sense of respect for its place within the ecosystem.