Portret van een hond c. 1860 - 1880

George Lodewijk Mulder made this small photograph of a dog in the Netherlands, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. As photography became more accessible, the emerging middle classes sought to emulate the traditions of aristocratic portraiture. But, instead of commissioning portraits of themselves, many chose to have their beloved pets immortalized. The image of the pampered dog, framed in an oval shape, speaks volumes about shifting social values and leisure activities. How did the rise of the middle class influence the way people viewed their pets? Did the growth of industrial society affect people's relationships with animals? Was this an attempt to elevate the status of domestic animals to that of loyal companions rather than working animals? To understand the broader cultural significance of this image, we might look into the history of pet ownership, animal rights movements, and the social function of photography during this period. Through such investigation, the meaning of this unassuming photograph will continue to evolve.