Hond, vermoedelijk een Sint-bernard c. 1892 - 1906

This photographic print of a dog, presumably a Saint Bernard, was created by Machiel Hendricus Laddé. The composition centres on the dog, its form delineated by a stark contrast between its dark patches and light fur, set against a monochrome backdrop. This contrast emphasizes the dog’s texture, each strand of fur seemingly captured in sharp relief. The backdrop, a painted scene of a winter landscape, offers a study in contrasts itself with soft, blurred lines and evokes a sense of depth without drawing focus from the central figure. Laddé's choice to photograph the dog against this backdrop creates a dialogue between the artificial and the natural. The structured pose of the dog and the deliberate composition speak to a constructed reality, typical of studio photography. The photograph thus destabilizes the boundary between representation and reality, inviting a reconsideration of how we perceive and categorize the world around us. Note how the texture of the dog’s fur invites not just visual but tactile engagement, prompting questions about materiality. The print serves as an ongoing site of interpretation, challenging viewers to question the nature of representation itself.