Hondekop met halsband 1852

Jacobus Cornelis Gaal created this etching, "Dog's Head with Collar," in 1852. During the 19th century, animals, especially dogs, were often depicted to symbolize loyalty and status, reflecting the values of the rising middle class and their aspirations of domesticity. This print invites us to consider the power dynamics between humans and animals, class and control. The dog's cropped head and prominent collar could be seen as markers of ownership and subjugation. Yet, the dog's gaze evokes a sense of awareness that challenges traditional representations of animals as passive subjects. The intense focus on the animal's face allows for a connection with the dog as an individual, and not just a symbol of its master's wealth. Gaal's attention to the texture of the dog's fur, the way it conveys the animal's physical presence, gives the animal a type of agency that makes you wonder about our responsibility to other living beings.