Fotoreproductie van een tekening van een Engelse setter c. 1865 - 1870

This is a photographic reproduction of a drawing of an English setter, created by C. Brasch. Here, the dog is isolated in profile, set against a dark backdrop, emphasizing its noble features. Dogs, as symbols, have journeyed through time, morphing from guardians of the underworld in ancient mythologies, such as Cerberus in Greek lore, to emblems of fidelity and domesticity in Victorian art. In ancient Egypt, jackals were associated with Anubis, the god of embalming and the afterlife, guiding souls through the underworld. This contrasts sharply with the loyalty symbolized by dogs in Renaissance portraiture, often seen at the feet of nobles, signifying fealty and companionship. The representation of the dog—its posture, the look in its eye—engages our deepest emotional registers. The image taps into collective memories and subconscious associations, reminding us of the protective, loyal, and comforting roles these animals have played across millennia, and how such relationships affect our understanding of love, loyalty, and loss. It's a visual echo resonating through cultural history.