Slapende hond 1780 - 1855

Jan Dasveldt created this etching of a sleeping dog in the Netherlands sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image depicts a dog curled up, seemingly oblivious to the world. But to understand this work, it's important to consider the cultural status of animals, and especially dogs, at this time. In the Dutch Golden Age, depictions of dogs shifted from symbols of loyalty to symbols of domesticity and luxury. This etching then speaks to the rising middle class who embraced these new values. Furthermore, the etching technique itself was becoming increasingly popular and accessible, which in turn, transformed the art market. To fully understand the meaning of this image, we might turn to historical texts, social records, and art market data. These would shed light on the cultural values and institutional structures that shaped not only the production of this image but also its reception.